British comedian and children's author David Walliams is under police investigation following allegations of serious sexual offenses, including separate accusations involving teenage girls and adult women. London's Metropolitan Police confirmed the investigation on Friday, November 13, 2026, after receiving several complaints concerning incidents alleged to have occurred in previous years. Walliams, 55, has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
The investigation follows a joint report by The Guardian and ITV News that accused the former Britain's Got Talent judge of using his celebrity status to pursue teenage girls and young women. Some women alleged that Walliams groomed them when they were teenagers, while another described an encounter at age 15 as sexual assault.
Police emphasized that the new complaints are separate from those described in the media investigation. However, detectives are also reviewing the published allegations to determine whether there is evidence of criminal offenses.
Metropolitan Police Confirm Criminal Investigation
The Metropolitan Police announced that officers had received several allegations involving serious sexual offenses dating back years. The force did not disclose the number of complainants, the alleged dates of the incidents or the specific offenses being investigated.
Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney is leading the investigation. He encouraged anyone who believes they have experienced sexual abuse to contact police, regardless of how much time has passed.
Specialist officers are assisting those who have already come forward. Investigators are also examining information gathered by journalists during their reporting on Walliams.
The announcement represents a significant development following the publication of allegations earlier in the week. Police had previously contacted the news organizations to ensure that potential complainants understood how to report allegations of criminal conduct.
Authorities have not announced any arrests or criminal charges against Walliams. The investigation remains at an early stage, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Women Describe Alleged Misconduct Dating Back Years
The Guardian and ITV News published their joint investigation on November 10 after examining allegations concerning Walliams' interactions with teenage girls and young women.
Journalists gathered accounts from 30 sources with firsthand knowledge of his alleged behavior. Those sources included women who described their own experiences and people who said they had witnessed inappropriate conduct.
Two women alleged that they first encountered Walliams when they were 15 years old. Both said they experienced grooming, and one described an alleged sexual assault at his London home.
Other women described receiving unexpected messages from Walliams through social media. Some alleged that he pursued sexual relationships while using the influence associated with his television career and public reputation.
The reporting also examined allegations of inappropriate behavior involving women working in television and publishing. Several women said their experiences continued to affect them years after the alleged encounters.
These accounts remain allegations, and Walliams disputes claims that he sexually exploited women or abused his position. The journalists' findings are not the same as criminal charges or findings of guilt.
Walliams Denies Allegations and Addresses Past Relationships
Walliams responded to the allegations in a letter sent to journalists involved in the investigation. He rejected accusations of criminal conduct and denied exploiting his celebrity status to pursue women.
He acknowledged that some of his past casual relationships had involved behavior he later regretted. He said he had not always properly considered the feelings of other people involved.
Walliams also recognized that relationships involving famous individuals can create differences in influence and power. However, he maintained that he had never deliberately abused that imbalance.
"I am not a sexual predator," Walliams said in his response. He also maintained that he had not broken the law.
His lawyers have separately denied allegations of workplace sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. Walliams has not publicly accepted responsibility for the alleged offenses described by the women.
Court Ruling Allowed Allegations to Become Public
The accusations became public following a legal dispute over whether the news organizations could publish their investigation.
Walliams sought a court injunction that would have prevented publication. His lawyers argued that releasing the allegations posed a serious risk to his mental health and personal safety.
The High Court considered evidence about those concerns but ultimately rejected the request. The judge determined that the investigation involved matters of substantial public interest and that preventing publication would seriously restrict press freedom.
Walliams did not pursue an appeal before the applicable deadline. The Guardian and ITV News subsequently published their findings and identified him as the subject of their reporting.
The ruling did not determine whether the sexual misconduct allegations were true. It addressed whether the news organizations could legally publish their investigation despite the concerns raised by Walliams' legal representatives.
Television and Publishing Organizations Respond
Walliams became a major figure in British entertainment through the BBC comedy series Little Britain, which he created with Matt Lucas. He later joined Britain's Got Talent as a judge, serving from 2012 until 2022.
He also developed a successful career writing children's books. His titles have sold millions of copies internationally, making him one of Britain's most commercially successful children's authors.
The allegations have prompted responses from organizations previously associated with his work. The BBC announced that it was reviewing programs featuring Walliams and began removing some material, including Little Britain, while that review continued.
His former talent agency, Independent Talent Group, also confirmed that it no longer represented him. The agency described the allegations as deeply disturbing and expressed concern for people who might have been affected.
Publishing company HarperCollins had already announced in December 2025 that it would no longer publish new books by Walliams. The decision followed reports concerning alleged inappropriate behavior toward female employees.
The publisher has emphasized its commitment to employee well-being. Walliams has denied allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct.
Investigators Seek Additional Information
Police have not established a timetable for completing the investigation. Detectives must assess the complaints, review available evidence and determine whether any allegations warrant further criminal proceedings.
The passage of time may complicate the collection of evidence, particularly where alleged incidents occurred many years ago. Investigators may need to examine historical communications, interview witnesses and compare accounts with available records.
The Metropolitan Police have encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact officers. People can report information by calling 101 and providing reference number 4900/10NOV26.
For Walliams, the investigation adds a criminal inquiry to an already significant public controversy surrounding his career. For the women who have made allegations, the police investigation provides an opportunity for their complaints to receive formal examination.
Whether prosecutors will eventually consider criminal charges remains unknown. The Metropolitan Police have not disclosed when investigators expect to provide another public update.