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Jonathan Ross ‘horrified’ by David Walliams and Russell Brand revelations
Jonathan Ross said he was “horrified” by allegations concerning David Walliams and Russell Brand, and said he had been unaware of their conduct. His comments follow the publication of allegations against Walliams by several women, after a court rejected his attempt to prevent their release; Walliams denies wrongdoing.
Ross acknowledged that a joke he delivered at the 2004 British Comedy Awards about Walliams going home with a 15-year-old was tasteless. He said it had been supplied by the event’s scriptwriters and that he believed it referred to Walliams’s public relationships with younger women. The allegations have prompted professional consequences for Walliams, including his agency dropping him and broadcasters reviewing or withdrawing material featuring him.
In short
- Ross says he was unaware of the allegations against Walliams.
- He has apologised for a tasteless 2004 awards joke.
- Broadcasters and industry partners are reviewing Walliams’s work.
Explained simply
Jonathan Ross, David Walliams and Russell Brand are British entertainers whose careers have included television, comedy and live performances. Ross and Walliams worked together on television, while Brand became known for stand-up and presenting.
The reports about Walliams concern allegations made by several women; he denies wrongdoing. The case has drawn attention to how claims about public figures are handled, including by courts, entertainment agencies and broadcasters.
At the 2004 British Comedy Awards, Ross made a joke about Walliams and a 15-year-old. Ross later described it as tasteless and said he had understood it to refer to Walliams’s public relationships with younger women.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Jonathan Ross ‘horrified’ by David Walliams and Russell Brand revelations”.