Context:

A long-form investigation details multiple women accusing David Walliams of using his fame to pursue sexual relationships and groom younger women over many years. The allegations span the publishing world and TV, with cases linked to personal encounters, workplace conduct, and social-media messages, prompting legal action to block publication which the court rejected. Walliams denies wrongdoing, saying relationships were consensual and that any power imbalance was not abused; he acknowledges past thoughtlessness and expresses regret. The disclosures have triggered corporate fallout, including his departure from HarperCollins, and ongoing scrutiny of his conduct across media and entertainment workplaces.

Dive Deeper:

• Two women say they first met Walliams when teenagers (15 and 17) and describe grooming dynamics: ongoing contact, requests for sexualised photos, and multiple meetings at his flat resulting in sexual activity; they frame this as abuse of power, which Walliams denies.

• Additional women say Walliams pursued them for sex after contact out of the blue in early adulthood (ages 18–22), with some describing inappropriate or unwanted advances but not all actions culminating in sex; he denies grooming or predatory behavior.

• A separate incident on the Britain’s Got Talent set in 2016 involves a woman (18 at the time) who says Walliams invited her and a friend to stay at his house, served wine, and attempted to kiss her when she was intoxicated and unwilling; Walliams denies manipulating or forcing contact.

• Former BGT staff report concerns about his treatment of young women on set, including inappropriate comments and unsolicited personal contact; production and ITV say they were not aware of formal complaints.

• In publishing, HarperCollins terminated Walliams’ back catalogue in 2025 after an internal inquiry into alleged inappropriate behavior toward young women; authorities say a junior employee had a sexual relationship with him, described later as an abuse of power.

• Legal action: the Guardian and ITV News sought comment in May; Walliams’ lawyers sought an injunction to stop publication, citing risk to his life; the court ruled the allegations contribute to public debate and cannot be barred.

• Walliams is currently being treated in a mental health facility; his lawyers maintain he did not abuse power, did not groom, and regret causing hurt, while he contends he has not broken the law.