British police open sex offense investigation against comedian and children’s author David Walliams

LONDON — British police said Friday they are investigating children’s book author and television personality David Walliams for serious sexual offenses after media reports he used his fame to groom girls and young women for sex.

London’s Metropolitan Police said it had received a number of allegations of past abuse following the joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian newspaper.

One woman said in reports she was sexually assaulted by Walliams at his London home when she was 15, while others accused him of grooming them when they were teenagers.

Police are investigating different allegations than those reported by the media, but said they would review the reports for evidence of other crimes.

Walliams, 55, denied the allegations, saying he had not broken any laws and was not a sexual predator.

“I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed their hurt or anger towards me,” Walliams said in a letter to ITV and the Guardian. “While an imbalance of power is inevitable when a party is famous, abusing that power is another thing entirely and something I have never done.”

Walliams is best known as the co-creator and co-star of “Little Britain,” a hugely popular television sketch show in the 2000s, but he is also a famous author of children’s books with around 40 published titles that have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to his website.

Several books, including “Gangsta Granny”, have been adapted into BBC comedy-dramas and stage productions. The producers of “Fing!” – an upcoming film based on Walliams’ book – said in a statement Tuesday that they had removed his appearance and that Walliams “will have no involvement in the release or promotion of the film.” He is credited as co-author.

British distributor Sky told Variety it was dropping the film. Angel Studios, the U.S. distributor, did not respond to an emailed question from The Associated Press about its plans for the film.

Walliams was dropped by publisher HarperCollins last year after allegations of inappropriate behavior. Few details were released at the time, but the Guardian reported that his behavior had raised concerns for years, including an allegation that he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a young female employee.

He was also a judge for a decade on “Britain’s Got Talent”, although he resigned in 2022 after apologizing for making “disrespectful comments” about contestants’ auditions.

The reports of Walliams’ alleged misconduct came a day after British actor-comedian Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for rape and sexual assault. The two stories together have drawn comparisons and provoked wider soul-searching about celebrities getting away with sexual misconduct in the UK.

Brand’s accusers in court came forward after a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4. Since his conviction, more women have come forward to make complaints against him, the Times reported. Police are also investigating two other cases against him.

The Guardian and ITV said they spoke to more than 100 people during a three-year investigation into Walliams.

Walliams had sought a court injunction to prevent the media from identifying him, but a judge rejected the request, ruling that such a legal step would constitute “an exceptionally serious interference” with media rights.

Walliams had claimed publishing allegations of sexual misconduct would cause him to take his own life, but Judge Matthew Nicklin said it was the responsibility of mental health services to ensure his safety.

Walliams has not spoken publicly since the story was first reported Tuesday afternoon.

The police, for their part, encouraged any victims of sexual offenses to come forward.

“We know that reporting allegations of this nature can be intimidating, but specialist officers are on hand to provide support, answer your questions and guide you through the process,” Det. Superintendent. Mike Cagney said.