David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct in Guardian and ITN investigation

Key Points:

• David Walliams has been accused by several women, including one who was 15, of sexual misconduct and grooming, following a joint three-year investigation by ITV News and The Guardian; these allegations surfaced after Walliams lost a legal bid to prevent their publication.
• The allegations include claims of grooming, unwanted sexual advances, and inappropriate behavior spanning from Walliams's early career to his time on Britain's Got Talent, with some women describing encounters as sexual assault or abuse of power.
• Walliams has denied being a sexual predator or breaking the law, acknowledging only that he behaved "thoughtlessly" in some casual sexual relationships and expressing regret for not considering others' feelings more carefully.
• Following the investigation, Walliams was dropped by his literary agent Independent Talent Group and publisher HarperCollins, which also removed his back catalogue; the BBC removed Little Britain from iPlayer, and the Metropolitan Police are reviewing the allegations.
• Walliams's legal attempt to block the allegations was rejected by the High Court, and he did not appeal, allowing the claims to be made public; he has stated that the publication of these allegations could have severe personal consequences, including a risk to his life.