David Walliams named as celebrity who tried to block publication of sexual misconduct allegations
The ruling lifts anonymity after judges found the reporting ban would be an exceptionally serious interference with freedom of expression, the court said.
- On Tuesday, ITV News and The Guardian published a three-year joint investigation naming comedian David Walliams and detailing allegations he groomed and sexually exploited girls as young as 15, ending his anonymity after the High Court rejected his injunction bid.
- Walliams had sought a High Court injunction to block publication, arguing the allegations would be fatal due to prior suicide attempts. Justice Matthew Nicklin dismissed the bid on November 3, ruling the injunction would be an "exceptionally serious interference" with freedom of expression.
- Reporters interviewed more than 100 people, including more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts spanning allegations from 2003 onward. Walliams denied all claims, stating "I am not a sexual predator," though he acknowledged behaving "thoughtlessly" toward some individuals.
- HarperCollins dropped Walliams in December 2025 after internal investigations into harassment of junior staff. Theme park Alton Towers also permanently closed its World Of David Walliams attraction earlier this month, reflecting broader commercial fallout.
- The court ruled hospitals and staff caring for Walliams, detained under the Mental Health Act in October, "can provide significant protection," materially reducing suicide risk. Walliams did not appeal by Monday's deadline, allowing media to lift reporting restrictions and publish today.
233 Articles
233 Articles
The comedian and TV judge from "Britain's Got Talent" tried to stop The Guardian from publishing.
The former juror of the "Britain's Got Talent" program and author of children's books David Williams is being accused of paedophilia and harassing several women, according to a report from The Guardian newspaper. According to the publication, he denies the accusations. See who are the first two on the list: Paul McCartney arrives at the $1.4 billion fortune and becomes the world's third richest singer Roberto Carlos: See first picture and detail…
UK children's author David Walliams accused of grooming teens
The claims, published by The Guardian newspaper and ITV news channel, came after a joint investigation about allegations by multiple women dating as far back as 2003. Walliams, who lost a High Court battle against being identified in the UK media and did not appeal, denied targeting teenagers and using his fame to manipulate them to have sex, his lawyers told media. His lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP. The …
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