The BBC has removed David Walliams' shows, including Little Britain, from its streaming platform following a series of sexual misconduct allegations against the comedian and writer. The broadcaster said it is "carefully reviewing" programmes involving Walliams after what it described as "serious allegations".
Allegations and BBC response
A three-year-long investigation claims Walliams abused his power and prominent position in British entertainment for sexual purposes, including with children as young as 15. A number of women have made new allegations against him, with one claiming he first began contacting her when she was 15 after meeting her at a Little Britain fan event.
Following the publication of the allegations, a BBC spokesperson said: "These are serious allegations. As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms. We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, whilst this review is under way."
Shows removed and Walliams' response
Comedy shows Little Britain and Come Fly With Me no longer appear on BBC iPlayer. Episodes of The Wheel and Would I Lie To You? featuring Walliams have also been removed, as well as a 2011 episode of Doctor Who starring Walliams.
In response to the investigation, Walliams said: "Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with... I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account. That is something I regret."
He added: "And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did... I am not a sexual predator... I have not broken the law... I am devastated that some of the women I met ten to twenty years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me."
Police statement and Walliams' career
The Metropolitan Police said it has contacted the Guardian and ITV News to "ensure that any potential victims" are "made aware of how they could report any criminal allegations to police". A Met spokesperson said: "We're aware of reports in the media in relation to allegations involving a man in his 50s. The Met has not received any related reports of sexual assault or any other offences. Should we receive any reports, they will be carefully assessed."
The spokesperson added: "Anyone who contacts the police will be supported by specialist officers. Last week, we contacted the media organisations that were involved in civil proceedings relating to the protection of the identity of that individual, to ensure that any potential victims who they have spoken to could be made aware of how they could report any criminal allegations to police. Reports can be made by calling 101, providing the reference 4900/10NOV26."
Walliams, who also served as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, has sold more than 60 million copies of his books globally, including The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny. The latter was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.
He left Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after apologising for making "disrespectful comments" about auditioning contestants during filming breaks in January 2020. In 2023, Britain's Got Talent producer Fremantle apologised and reached an "amicable resolution" with Walliams after the remarks he made while on the show were leaked.
