Met Police open formal investigation into David Walliams
Detectives are reviewing reports of non-recent offenses after media outlets named the comedian in detailed allegations.
By David Marshall ·
The Metropolitan Police began a formal criminal investigation into David Walliams on Friday. The 55-year-old comedian and author faces allegations of serious sexual offenses. Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney confirmed that investigators have received multiple reports. The complaints involve non-recent offenses committed by a man in his 50s. Cagney urged anyone affected by the alleged misconduct to contact the police.
Walliams has denied the accusations. He stated that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law. The police clarified that this criminal probe is separate from the media reports published earlier this week. ITV News and The Guardian released those reports on Tuesday. The articles detailed claims of sexual misconduct and harassment dating back to 2003.
The journalism effort relied on interviews with more than 100 people conducted over three years. Several women alleged that Walliams sexually assaulted them at his London residence. One claim described an assault when the complainant was 15. Other accusations included grooming behavior directed at young people. Reports also cited the harassment of young female colleagues in his professional circle.
The media revelations followed closely after Russell Brand received a prison sentence. Brand was sentenced to more than ten years in prison for rape and sexual assault earlier this week. Walliams also lost a legal bid to keep his name out of the reports. Judge Matthew Nicklin ruled in the High Court that an injunction would be an exceptionally serious interference with media rights.
Walliams addressed the two news outlets in a letter. He acknowledged that a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous. He argued that abusing that power is a distinct issue and maintained that he never engaged in such behavior. He insisted that his denial is firm despite the gravity of the accusations.
Industry partners have begun distancing themselves from the comedian. A BBC spokesperson told the AFP news agency that the broadcaster removed several shows featuring Walliams from its platforms. This includes all episodes of Little Britain, the sketch show that brought him fame. The move represents a shift in the broadcaster's relationship with the star.
His literary agency, Independent Talent Group, announced that it is no longer representing him. This follows a similar decision by his publisher, HarperCollins, last year. HarperCollins dropped Walliams after he faced accusations of harassing female staff. He had also denied those claims at the time. These professional departures add pressure on the entertainment and publishing sectors.
Walliams rose to prominence through sketch comedy shows like Little Britain and Come Fly With Me. He also served as a judge on Britain's Got Talent. Beyond television, he became a best-selling author of children's books. Titles such as Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, and The Boy in the Dress have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. The police investigation moves the case beyond media scrutiny to formal legal proceedings.
