British comedian and children’s author David Walliams has been named as the celebrity at the centre of sexual misconduct allegations after losing a legal battle to prevent media organisations from publishing his identity.
The 55-year-old was identified by The Guardian and ITV News on November 10, 2026, following the dismissal of his application for an injunction against Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM).
Multiple women have accused Walliams of using his celebrity status to pursue them sexually when they were teenagers or young adults. The allegations also include claims of inappropriate workplace behaviour spanning several years.
Walliams has denied being a sexual predator, insisting that he never abused his position or broke the law.
Here are seven important details about the allegations, his legal battle and his response.
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1. David Walliams named after losing court battle
Walliams was previously identified in court proceedings by the anonymous designation “PPT” after seeking legal protection against the publication of allegations concerning his conduct.
On November 3, High Court judge Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed his application for an injunction.
The judge ruled that the media organisations could publish their investigation, although Walliams was initially protected by reporting restrictions while he considered an appeal.
After the appeal deadline passed without an appeal, The Guardian and ITV News publicly identified him on November 10.
According to Reuters, the legal proceedings centred on whether the publications could be prevented from reporting allegations of serious misconduct.
2. Two women claim they first met him at 15
The joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News included accounts from two women who said they first met Walliams when they were 15 years old.
Both women, now in their thirties, reportedly described their experiences as grooming and said the encounters had affected them for years.
One woman alleged that Walliams began asking her for sexualised photographs after she turned 17.
The allegations have raised questions about how a celebrity’s influence and status may affect relationships with teenagers and young women.
Walliams denies the allegations of grooming and inappropriate sexual conduct.
3. Young models and fans reportedly received social media messages
The investigation also spoke to young models and fans who said Walliams contacted them unexpectedly through social media.
The women were reportedly between 17 and 22 years old when some of the alleged interactions took place.
The journalists reviewed emails, social media messages, contemporaneous notes and other materials while investigating the claims.
Several women reportedly described the interactions as distressing, with some saying the experiences continued to affect them years later.
4. Allegations also involve Britain’s Got Talent
Some of the allegations reportedly relate to Walliams’ time as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, where he served from 2012 until 2022.
The investigation included accounts from women who said they encountered him through the television programme.
One woman reportedly alleged that Walliams invited her and a friend to his home after meeting them on the show’s set.
She claimed that he attempted to kiss her and lead her towards his bedroom despite her lack of interest.
Walliams denied the allegation, with his lawyers disputing claims that he used his celebrity status to manipulate young women.
5. Former publisher HarperCollins ended its relationship with him
The allegations also extend to Walliams’ publishing career.
HarperCollins announced in December 2025 that it would no longer publish new titles by the bestselling children’s author.
The publisher subsequently ended its relationship with him and dropped his back catalogue following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young female employees.
The Guardian and ITV News also reported that Walliams had a sexual relationship with a junior member of staff at the publishing company.
His lawyers said the relationships were consensual and denied allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct.
6. Walliams denies being a sexual predator
In a statement responding to the allegations, Walliams acknowledged that he had sometimes behaved thoughtlessly in casual sexual relationships.
He said he regretted not always considering other people’s feelings properly.
However, he strongly rejected claims that he had abused his celebrity status or engaged in criminal conduct.
“I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me,” he said.
His lawyers also denied allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
7. Judge rejects injunction despite concerns about his mental health
Walliams sought an injunction partly on the grounds that publishing the allegations could lead him to attempt suicide.
His legal team told the High Court that he had previously made two suicide attempts and had required hospital treatment.
Justice Nicklin acknowledged the seriousness of the risk to Walliams’ life but concluded that the court should not prevent publication of matters involving substantial public interest.
The judge also said that an injunction would represent an exceptionally serious interference with freedom of expression and prevent the women who provided accounts from communicating their experiences publicly.
The court did not determine whether the allegations were true.
According to ITV News, Walliams did not appeal the ruling before the deadline, allowing the media organisations to publish their investigations.
Conclusion
David Walliams has been publicly identified following a failed legal attempt to prevent the publication of sexual misconduct allegations against him.
The claims, which involve multiple women and span several decades, have raised questions about celebrity influence, workplace conduct and accountability in the entertainment industry.
Walliams continues to deny the allegations and maintains that he did not abuse his position or break the law.
The High Court ruling permitted the media organisations to publish their investigation but did not establish the truth or otherwise of the allegations.
