Met Police open formal investigation into David Walliams over alleged sexual offences

Key points

• The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that they are investigating 'a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences' involving a man in his 50s, identified as Walliams.
• Detectives are proactively reviewing the reporting by ITV News and The Guardian to establish if there is evidence of offences, though the police stated the formal allegations are separate from those published in the media.
• Walliams, 55, denied the claims, stating he is 'not a sexual predator' and has 'not broken the law,' though he admitted to behaving 'thoughtlessly' in past casual relationships.
• The investigation follows the loss of a legal bid by Walliams to prevent his name from being published in the allegations, a move he claimed would lead to his suicide.
• The case has triggered a broader scrutiny of the UK entertainment industry, coinciding with the recent conviction of comedian Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault.

Background

Walliams previously lost a High Court injunction bid in late 2026, allowing the publication of allegations that he groomed teenagers and young women. Prior to this, HarperCollins dropped his backlist in September 2026, and UK schools and libraries faced a split decision on whether to remove his books from shelves. The current police investigation marks a formal legal step following these media and commercial repercussions.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources confirm the police investigation, they emphasize different aspects of the fallout. The BBC and WRAL focus on the procedural details of the Met's inquiry and Walliams' denial of criminal activity. AP News frames the story within a 'week of reckoning' for UK comedy, drawing direct parallels between Walliams and the recently jailed Russell Brand, highlighting a systemic failure to protect women in the industry. The Guardian provides a cultural analysis, noting that Walliams' reputation for pursuing women was 'in plain sight' through years of onscreen jokes and industry references, suggesting a degree of enabling within the entertainment sector. Walliams' own statement, cited across outlets, distinguishes between 'thoughtless' behavior and 'abusing power,' maintaining that he has not broken the law.

Why it matters

The formal police investigation signals a shift from media scrutiny to legal proceedings for a high-profile figure in the UK entertainment industry. It underscores a growing public and governmental demand for accountability regarding power imbalances in media, potentially leading to stricter policies for protecting women in the industry and further legal actions against other celebrities.

What to watch

The Metropolitan Police have encouraged potential victims to come forward, regardless of when the alleged offences occurred. The outcome of the investigation will determine if formal charges are brought against Walliams. Meanwhile, the industry faces pressure from government officials, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, to implement more robust policies to protect women and address historical abuses of power.