U.K. police launch sex offence investigation into children’s author and comedian David Walliams
Walliams was subject of investigation by the Guardian and ITV News alleging he preyed on young women
London police said on Friday they are investigating children’s author and TV personality David Walliams for serious sexual offences, after news outlets reported that he used his fame to groom girls and young women for sex.
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he → launch → sex
The Metropolitan Police said it had received a number of allegations of past abuse following a joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian newspaper.
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it → say → News
One woman said in the reports that she was sexually assaulted by Walliams at his London home when she was 15, while others accused him of grooming them when they were teens.
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they → say → them
Police are investigating different allegations than those reported by the news outlets, but said they will look into the news stories for any evidence of other crimes.
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they → investigate → crimes
Walliams denies claims
Walliams, 55, has denied the allegations, saying he had not broken any laws and was not a sexual predator.
"I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me," Walliams said in writing to ITV and the Guardian.
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Walliams → deny → ITV
"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."
Walliams attends a performance of Awful Auntie at the Richmond Theatre in Richmond, England, on May 9, 2024.
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Walliams → abuse → May
A number of Walliams's books now have screen adaptations.
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number → have → adaptations
Dropped by publisher last year
Walliams is best known as the co-creator and co-star of Little Britain, a hugely popular TV comedy sketch show in the 2000s.
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Walliams → drop → 2000s
But he’s also a children’s book author with some 40 published titles that have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to his website.
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that → ’ → website
Several books, including Gangsta Granny, have been adapted into BBC comedy dramas and stage productions.
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books → include → dramas
Producers of Fing! — an upcoming film based on Walliams’s book — said in a statement on Tuesday that they had removed his cameo appearance and that Walliams "will have no involvement in the film’s release or promotion."
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Walliams → base → release
He is credited as a co-writer.
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He → credit → writer
U.K. distributor Sky told Variety it was dropping the movie.
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it → tell → movie
Angel Studios, the U.S. distributor, did not answer The Associated Press’s emailed query about its plans for the film.
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Studios → answer → film
Walliams was dropped last year by publisher HarperCollins after allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
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Walliams → drop → behaviour
Few details were published at the time, but the Guardian reported that there were concerns about his behaviour for years, including an allegation he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a junior female employee.
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he → publish → employee
He was also a judge for a decade on Britain’s Got Talent, though he stepped down in 2022 after apologizing for making "disrespectful comments" about auditioning contestants.
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he → step → contestants
The reports into Walliams’s alleged misconduct were published a day after British actor-comedian Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 ½ years in prison for rape and sexual assault.
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Brand → publish → rape
The two stories together drew comparisons and caused wider soul-searching over celebrities getting away with sexual misconduct in the U.K.
Brand’s accusers in court had come forward after a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4.
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accusers → draw → Times
Since his sentencing, more women have come forward to make claims against him, The Times reported.
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Times → come → him
Police are also investigating two other cases against him.
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Police → investigate → him
The Guardian and ITV said they spoke to more than 100 people during a three-year investigation into Walliams.
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they → say → Walliams
He had sought a court injunction to prevent the news outlets from identifying him, but a judge rejected the application, saying such a legal measure would be "an exceptionally serious interference" with the media’s rights.
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measure → seek → rights
Walliams is seen during a reception for winners of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition at Buckingham Palace on Nov. 22, 2018.
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Walliams → see → Nov.
Walliams hasn't spoken publicly since the Guardian and ITV News published their investigation.
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Guardian → speak → investigation
Walliams had claimed that publication of sexual misconduct allegations would lead him to take his own life, but Justice Matthew Nicklin said it was the responsibility of mental health services to look after his safety.
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it → claim → safety
Walliams has not spoken publicly since the story was first reported Tuesday afternoon.
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story → speak → ?
Police, meanwhile, encouraged any sex offence victim to come forward.
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Police → encourage → victim
"We know reporting allegations of this nature can be daunting, but specialist officers are on hand to provide support, answer questions and guide you through the process," Det. Supt. Mike Cagney said.
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Cagney → know → process
The Aporia
