Walliams’ career is over but the repercussions of a whole industry failing in its duty of care are just beginning…

David Walliams, the comedian and television personality who became Britain’s best-selling children’s author, has been named as the “famous man” who sought a High Court injunction to prevent the publication of allegations against him. 

A joint investigation alleges an ‘abuse of power and status’ by the author, claiming he used his celebrity position to contact young women and pursue what it described as ‘inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities.  The allegations have been met with denial by Walliams, who has stated that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law.  

The author is accused of inappropriate behaviour from a number of women, including two who claimed they were ‘groomed’ by the author when they were 15 years old. 

Ministers could force media bosses to improve safeguarding and crack down on ‘abuses of power’ in the wake of ‘deeply troubling’ allegations about Walliams and the conviction of Russell Brand. 

Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary has summoned senior members of the media and entertainment to meet with her next week, where she will tell them they must get a handle on the issue or face government intervention. Ms Nandy is to tell leaders that they must draw a ‘line in the sand’ after she called the allegations against Walliams the ‘latest in a long line of reported abuses of power’ in the media industry.

In a recent report on crime statistics shows that 7,197 sexual grooming offences were recorded by the police across England and Wales in 2024-2025. Nearly a third of those ended up in a charge – and in 2024 just over 2,000 defendants were convicted. The rate of prosecuting suspects for grooming has more than doubled in seven years.