Comedian and children’s author David Walliams has been publicly unmasked following the dismissal of a High Court injunction in London, where a judge ruled against his bid to suppress an investigation into multiple sexual misconduct allegations, according to The Guardian.
The investigation, titled David Walliams: Power and Silence,
brings to light accusations spanning more than two decades.
Judge refuses injunction to protect freedom of expression
Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin refused the bid for an injunction on November 3, ruling that it would represent an exceptionally serious interference
with freedom of expression. Lawyers representing The Guardian and ITN told the court that the legal action aimed to stop the publication of a wide-ranging and rigorous
investigation, conducted over four years and involving more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts of inappropriate sexual activity with girls and young women.
During the legal proceedings, Walliams sought anonymity and argued that publishing the stories posed a severe risk to his life. His legal team informed the court that he had previously attempted suicide twice. Counsel argued that a “threat to life” remains one of the few grounds for such an injunction in the modern world, though such claims require heavy scrutiny by the court.
Investigation reveals allegations of sexual misconduct with young women
The joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian reveals that Walliams is accused of preying on teenage girls and young women for sexual purposes.
One woman stated he contacted her when she was 15, after they met at a Little Britain fan event, before they entered a sexual relationship when she was 17. Another woman, identified as Jade, alleged he exposed himself to her when she was 15; Walliams denies this, asserting he had no sexual contact with her.
The testimonies detail interactions beginning as early as January 2004. One woman, referred to as Alex, recalls Walliams calling her after she returned from school; she was 15 and studying for her GCSEs, while Walliams was 32 and rising to fame.
Records show emails sent by Walliams in October 2005 asking for her age and requesting photographs of her. In one exchange, he remarked, You in the bath is a nice thought.
Alex says that later that evening, Walliams suggested they meet for sex.
Walliams faces criticism for Little Britain sketches and roles
Walliams became a household name alongside Matt Lucas through the BBC sketch show Little Britain, which aired from 2003 to 2008. The show later drew criticism for the use of “blackface.”
Additionally, a live Little Britain tour in 2006 and 2007 featured a segment where Walliams, playing a sex offender, would choose audience members as young as 16 to participate in a game called hide the sausage,
during which he would simulate anal sex. In 2012, Walliams joined Britain’s Got Talent as a judge, a role he held for 10 series.
In 2022, Walliams left Britain’s Got Talent after audio leaked from a 2020 audition show at the London Palladium, revealing he had made sexually explicit and derogatory remarks about contestants. He later sued the production company, Fremantle, for data protection breaches, eventually reaching an amicable resolution.
Separately, he has faced scrutiny for his children’s books, which have sold over 60 million copies globally, with accusations of racial stereotyping in some stories.
Denials and Statements from Walliams
He added, I am not a sexual predator.
Publishers and broadcasters cut ties following allegations
The disclosures follow significant professional fallout. In 2025, HarperCollins ended its publishing contract with Walliams and stopped selling his back catalogue following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior and harassment toward junior female staff.
Furthermore, an area of the Alton Towers theme park based on his books was recently closed. In December 2025, the BBC stated it had no future projects directly involving the performer, although they proceeded with his scheduled appearance on a festive edition of Would I Lie To You?
