A controversial clip of comedian David Walliams participating in a bizarre BBC Comic Relief challenge in 2015 has resurfaced following the publication of serious allegations against the entertainer.
The footage shows the former Little Britain star attempting to break the world record for the most kisses received within 30 seconds during the BBC One fundraising broadcast.
During the live segment, Walliams, now 55, sits on a chair while groups of young men and women line up on either side to kiss him on both cheeks.
Dressed in shorts and a vest, the comedian pulls several faces as participants take turns covering his cheeks with lipstick marks.
Comic Relief presenter Davina McCall is also seen standing behind him, holding his head to keep him in position as the challenge gets underway.
At the end of the stunt, it is announced that Walliams received 55 kisses, successfully breaking the record.
The clip, which has attracted renewed attention on social media, remains available on the BBC’s YouTube channel.
Comedian Named Following Investigation Into Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The resurfaced footage comes after Walliams was identified as the celebrity who had attempted to secure a court order preventing the publication of allegations that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl and pursued several teenage girls.
A three-year investigation conducted by ITV News and The Guardian, published on Tuesday, November 11, detailed multiple allegations dating back to 2003.
The reports include claims that Walliams exploited his celebrity status in his interactions with teenage girls, with some of the alleged victims claiming they were as young as 15.
Walliams has denied all the allegations and any suggestion that he engaged in unlawful conduct.
BBC Begins Removing Programmes Featuring Walliams
Following the publication of the investigation, the BBC confirmed that it was reviewing content featuring the comedian across its platforms.
The broadcaster announced that it had begun removing several programmes, including Little Britain, while the review continues.
Other productions affected include the airport mockumentary Come Fly With Me, as well as episodes of The Wheel and Would I Lie To You? featuring Walliams.
The 2011 Doctor Who episode, The God Complex, in which he played Gibbis, a cowardly moleman alien, has also been removed from BBC iPlayer.
A BBC spokesperson said: “These are serious allegations.
As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms.
“We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, whilst this review is under way.”
Walliams Issues Response to Allegations
In a statement provided to ITV News and The Guardian following the investigation, Walliams acknowledged that his past behaviour had sometimes been thoughtless towards people with whom he had casual sexual relationships.
“Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with… I realise I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account.
That is something I regret,” he said.
He also addressed the issue of celebrity influence and power imbalances in relationships.
“And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did,” he added.
Walliams further insisted that he was not a sexual predator and had not broken the law.
He said he was devastated that some women he had encountered between 10 and 20 years ago had since expressed hurt or anger towards him.
Woman Alleges She Was Assaulted at 15
One of the women who spoke to ITV News and The Guardian was identified as Jade.
She alleged that Walliams first contacted her online when she was 15 before arranging to meet her in London’s Soho.
According to her account, the comedian subsequently drove her to his home in his Aston Martin.
She alleged that the incident took place at Supernova Heights, a property previously owned by Oasis musician Noel Gallagher.
Jade claimed that Walliams initially hugged and kissed her before lifting her top and touching her breasts.
She also alleged that he attempted to place her hand inside his trousers, prompting her to pull away and tell him no.
She said she was not ready for sexual activity and did not want to be touched in that manner.
Jade further claimed that she had previously told Walliams about being sexually abused as a child by another person, to which he allegedly responded by expressing sympathy.
Describing her experience, she said she regarded the alleged incident as sexual assault and grooming.
Another Woman Describes Alleged Teenage Relationship
A second woman, identified as Alex, also made allegations against the comedian.
She claimed that Walliams began contacting her when she was 15 and preparing for her mock GCSE examinations.
According to her account, they first met at a Little Britain fan event, where Walliams was dressed as his character Lou.
Their initial meeting was reportedly captured on camera, while Alex alleged that their sexual relationship began approximately two years later, when she was 17.
Speaking about her feelings towards the comedian, she described experiencing a strong emotional and physical reaction when thinking about what had happened.
She said she believed she had been groomed and described her feelings towards him as hatred.
Court Challenge to Keep Walliams’ Identity Secret Fails
Walliams had previously launched a High Court challenge seeking to prevent media organisations from publishing the allegations and identifying him.
Last month, a High Court judge rejected his application to block publication but granted him permission to appeal. The court also temporarily protected his identity.
However, the comedian missed a 4.30pm deadline on Monday to take the matter to the Court of Appeal, allowing his identity to be publicly revealed.
During the High Court proceedings, Walliams argued that he would take his own life if his identity became known.
On Tuesday afternoon, Downing Street described the allegations of sexual misconduct made by multiple women as deeply troubling.
Walliams continues to deny the allegations and maintains that he has done nothing unlawful.
