David Walliams: UK police launch sex offense probe into comedian

London police on Friday said they are opening a sexual offenses investigation into British actor, comedian and children's author David Walliams.

The Metropolitan Police said they "received a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offenses involving a man now in his 50s."

It comes after British outlets ITV News and The Guardian reported that Walliams misused his power and celebrity status to prey on women and girls over a period of more than 20 years. The media outlets produced an hourlong video documentary on the allegations against Walliams, entitled "David Walliams: Power and Silence."

The documentary reported on a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by Walliams when she was 15. The outlets also highlighted sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct allegations regarding "Britain's Got Talent," where he was a judge, and his book publisher HarperCollins.

"We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offense to come forward and speak to us, no matter when it happened," said Detective Mike Cagney, who is in charge of the Met Police investigation.

The Met Police investigation is based on allegations against Walliams that are separate from those reported by the two news outlets.

Walliams denies allegations

Neither Walliams nor his lawyer have responded to the Met Police investigation. However, Walliams did respond earlier to the ITV and Guardian report about him.

"I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me," Walliams told the outlets in a letter. "Whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something I never did."

The allegations against Walliams have already had repercussions on his career. The BBC took down content featuring Walliams from its platforms, including comedy sketch show "Little Britain."

Walliams' publisher, HarperCollins UK, dropped him last year after The Telegraph newspaper reported on inappropriate behavior towards women at the publishing firm.

UK media and entertainment industry faces sexual abuse reckoning

The allegations come as several male comedic and literary figures in the UK have faced either sexual assault charges or accusations in recent years.

Media personality and actor Russell Brand on Monday was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprisonment after he was convicted of rape and assault.

In 2024, children's book author Neil Gaiman was accused of sexual assault, leading companies such as Disney and DC Comics to drop adaptations of his works. Gaiman denies the allegations.

"The media industry will need to look at itself and ensure whether it is taking all of the steps needed to protect the safety of woman and girls who work within the industry," British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Thursday.

British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to meet with entertainment industry leaders next week, where she will deliver a warning that the UK government could intervene if they do not protect those who blow the whistle on sexual assault and misconduct.