Comedian Recalls 16-Year-Old Incident

Lucy Beaumont disclosed that an unidentified television worker took her away from her mother at a BBC awards party when she was 16. The incident occurred during her teenage years, and her mother intervened to end the interaction.

Beaumont, 43, shared these details while discussing her position as a whistleblower in the inquiry into David Walliams. She spoke to Cathy Newman on Sky News about the encounter that happened 27 years ago. Her mother found the pair and stopped the man from leading Beaumont away.

“I was young, I was 16. Me and my mum were at a BBC award winners party and I was taken off by an older man who works on TV and my mum found us and stopped it,” Beaumont said. She noted that her mother initially blamed herself for allowing her daughter to wear makeup. Beaumont described this reaction as reflective of attitudes toward young women at the time.

Beaumont contacted the Metropolitan Police years after the event. She wanted the incident recorded in case other complaints emerged. Police informed her they had received no other reports about the man. She also privately reached out to women who had worked with the individual, and none reported problems.

“So for me that was put to bed, I did what I felt was the right thing to do,” she continued. The comedian said the experience made her concerned about the safety of young people in the entertainment industry. She stated a desire to help vulnerable young workers entering the field.

Beaumont confirmed she provided information to The Guardian during its three-year investigation into Walliams. She did not know Walliams personally nor did she work with him. Her concern began when a young television worker confided in her about alleged conduct involving the comedian. That worker said part of their job involved escorting teenage girls over 16 to Walliams’ dressing room.

“I was one of the whistleblowers. I was one of the people to let The Guardian know,” Beaumont confirmed. She contacted one of Walliams’ alleged victims to offer support with legal fees. The woman declined the offer. Beaumont stressed she had not personally witnessed inappropriate behavior by Walliams and could not independently verify the allegations.

Beaumont criticized the television industry’s safeguarding procedures. She argued that young workers have too few avenues to report behavior involving established stars. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ll work in telly again. I honestly don’t,” she said. Walliams, 55, has denied all allegations of criminal wrongdoing. He acknowledged behaving thoughtlessly in casual sexual relationships but insisted he is not a sexual predator.