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The teenage girls David Walliams preyed on in public: As police urge women to come forward, how grooming comic’s behaviour was so well known Jonathan Ross joked about it in a room full of stars
Women have accused David Walliams of grooming teenage girls and sexually harassing or assaulting young women, allegations he denies. The claims have prompted the Metropolitan Police to urge potential victims to come forward, while renewed attention has focused on how jokes about his pursuit of teenage girls were made publicly years ago.
A media investigation published detailed allegations, including claims involving girls aged 15 and a 17-year-old who met Walliams through a television talent show. Comedian Lucy Beaumont said she acted as a whistleblower and described one woman as distressed after signing a non-disclosure agreement. Police said they had received no allegations but would carefully assess any reports; Walliams has said he acted thoughtlessly at times but is not a sexual predator.
In short
- Women have accused David Walliams of misconduct involving teenagers.
- Walliams denies the accusations.
- Police say potential victims can report allegations.
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The case for
Those calling for scrutiny argue that detailed allegations involving teenagers and young women, alongside accounts that jokes about Walliams’s interest in teenage girls were made publicly, warrant serious attention. They say encouraging potential victims to contact police can help establish what happened and whether there is evidence of wrongdoing, while taking the allegations seriously supports accountability and safeguarding.
The case against
Those urging caution argue that the claims remain allegations, which Walliams denies, and that public jokes or reported accounts do not establish criminal conduct. They say any complaints should be assessed fairly by police, with conclusions based on evidence and due process rather than media attention, and that individuals should not be treated as guilty before findings are made.
Explained simply
David Walliams is a British comedian and television personality, known for sketch comedy and as a judge on the talent show Britain’s Got Talent. The latest allegations concern claims that he groomed teenage girls and sexually harassed or assaulted young women; he denies being a sexual predator.
Grooming describes behaviour intended to build trust with a young person before exploiting them. One reported claim involves a 17-year-old who met Walliams through a talent show. The allegations have brought renewed attention to past public jokes about his interest in teenage girls and to questions about how people around him responded.
The Metropolitan Police have asked potential victims to come forward and say they will assess any reports. The claims raise questions about safeguarding young people in the entertainment industry and how allegations of misconduct are handled.