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David Walliams faces career damage after sexual conduct allegations
David Walliamsâs career is facing serious damage after an investigation reported allegations of inappropriate and exploitative sexual conduct involving women and girls over more than two decades. Walliams denies being a âsexual predatorâ but says he acted thoughtlessly in past casual sexual relationships; a judge rejected his attempt to prevent publication of the claims.
The joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News drew on more than 30 first-hand accounts and many other interviews. The article traces the allegations alongside Walliamsâs rise, from Little Britainâs success in the early 2000s to his later work as a Britainâs Got Talent judge, author and television personality. Among the early claims are accounts from a model who was 18 and a Little Britain fan who was 15 when she met him; Walliams denies grooming or behaving inappropriately towards the model.
In short
- Walliams faces allegations spanning more than two decades.
- He denies being a sexual predator.
- The investigation drew on over 30 first-hand accounts.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way â we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those who see the allegations as warranting serious professional consequences argue that the investigationâs many first-hand accounts describe a repeated pattern of conduct, including claims involving young women and a 15-year-old fan. They may say employers and broadcasters have a responsibility to take credible reports seriously and protect people in their workplaces, while the judgeâs rejection of Walliamsâs attempt to prevent publication allows the claims to be scrutinised publicly.
The case against
Those urging caution about career consequences argue that allegations, even when numerous and serious, are not findings of fact, and that Walliams denies being a sexual predator and disputes specific claims. They may say decisions affecting someoneâs livelihood should rest on fair assessment of the evidence and a chance to respond, rather than public pressure or reputational damage alone.
Explained simply
David Walliams is a British comedian and television personality who rose to prominence through the sketch show Little Britain in the early 2000s. He later became a judge on Britainâs Got Talent and a successful childrenâs author.
The allegations concern accounts from women and girls about conduct spanning more than two decades. The investigation was conducted jointly by The Guardian and ITV News, drawing on first-hand accounts and other interviews.
Walliams denies being a âsexual predatorâ and denies grooming or behaving inappropriately towards one woman mentioned in the reporting. He says he acted thoughtlessly in past casual sexual relationships; a judge rejected his bid to prevent publication of the claims.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “From Little Britain and Comic Relief to marrying a supermodel…then sex allegation scandal: A timeline of David Walliams’s career highs and lows”.