The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into David Walliams following a series of allegations of serious sexual offences involving women who have come forward in recent days.
The 55-year-old entertainer is being investigated over claims of sexual misconduct, including allegations that he used his celebrity status to groom teenage girls and pursue young women.
Scotland Yard confirmed that the allegations prompting the investigation are separate from those previously published by ITN and The Guardian.
However, detectives are also reviewing the media reports to determine whether they contain evidence of criminal offences.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “In recent days, the Met has received a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences involving a man now in his 50s.”
The force added that specialist officers were supporting the individuals who had come forward.
Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney, who is leading the investigation, encouraged anyone who had experienced sexual offences to contact the police, regardless of when the alleged incidents occurred.
He acknowledged that reporting such allegations could be difficult but said specialist officers were available to offer assistance and guide complainants through the process.
Fresh Allegations Emerge After Media Investigation
The police investigation follows an extensive report published by The Guardian and ITV News on Tuesday, detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against the comedian.
Several women reportedly came forward with accounts of alleged inappropriate behaviour, including claims that Walliams used his position in the entertainment industry to establish relationships with teenage fans.
The allegations include an accusation that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl, groomed another teenager who was preparing for her GCSE examinations and sexually harassed several other young women.
Walliams has denied wrongdoing, previously describing himself as not being a sexual predator.
He acknowledged that he had sometimes behaved thoughtlessly but rejected accusations that he had groomed young women.
His legal representatives have also disputed several of the allegations.
Woman Claims She Was Assaulted at 15
One woman, identified as Jade, alleged that Walliams sexually assaulted her when she was 15 in 2007.
According to her account, the comedian contacted her through MySpace, the social networking platform that was popular before Facebook became widespread.
She claimed that they exchanged messages before speaking on the telephone about her school life and where she lived.
The pair subsequently arranged to meet in Soho, where Walliams, then 36, allegedly bought her coffee before taking her into an alleyway and kissing her.
Jade further alleged that he drove her to his mansion in Primrose Hill, previously owned by Oasis musician Noel Gallagher.
She claimed that once they arrived, Walliams lifted her top, touched her sexually and attempted to guide her hand towards his trousers.
Jade said she pulled away and told him no.
Describing the alleged incident, she said she had been 15 at the time and characterised the experience as sexual assault and grooming.
Walliams’ lawyers have denied that he groomed the teenager or had any sexual contact with her. They have previously described her allegations as false.
Second Teenager Alleges She Was Groomed
Another woman, identified as Alex, has accused Walliams of grooming her when she was 15 and preparing for her GCSE mock examinations.
She reportedly first encountered the comedian at a Little Britain fan event, where she presented him with comedy sketches she had written.
Her mother took a photograph of the meeting. Alex alleged that Walliams contacted her by telephone several days later, introducing himself as the comedian from television.
According to her account, their conversations initially centred on her education, upcoming examinations and her 16th birthday.
She also claimed that Walliams offered to help develop her writing and secure work experience for her in television.
Alex said they had consensual sex when she was 17 in 2005 but described the experience as uncomfortable and said she felt pressured.
She believes the relationship amounted to grooming.
Walliams’ legal representatives said he understood that Alex was 18 when they had sex.
They added that he was mortified to discover that their brief, consensual relationship had caused her sadness.
Government Aide Among Women Who Have Spoken Out
Abby Tomlinson, who is now a senior aide to Andy Burnham in Downing Street, is among the women who have publicly discussed their experiences involving Walliams.
She alleged that she was 17 and attending a Britain’s Got Talent fan event in 2015 when she found herself in the comedian’s dressing room alongside three other girls aged 13, 16 and 17.
Tomlinson claimed that no other adult was present when the girls were in the room with Walliams.
She told The Guardian that the door was closed and they were alone with him.
However, Walliams’ lawyers disputed her account, describing the allegation as misleading.
Other Women Describe Alleged Inappropriate Behaviour
Additional women have also made allegations about their encounters with the comedian.
A woman identified as Sarah said she was 18 when Walliams invited her to his home.
She alleged that he got her drunk, stroked her leg and subsequently attempted to take her to bed.
Lilly Creightmore, a former model, also accused Walliams of repeatedly pressuring her for sex when she was 18 in 2003.
The allegations form part of a growing number of accounts involving women who have described encounters with the entertainer over several years.
Walliams Attempted to Block Publication of Allegations
Before the reports by The Guardian and ITV News were published, Walliams launched a legal challenge at the High Court seeking to prevent the allegations from becoming public.
The comedian reportedly expressed concerns about the impact of the claims and threatened to take his own life if the women’s accounts were published.
However, a judge rejected his application for an injunction, allowing the media organisations to proceed with their investigations.
The reports were subsequently published on Tuesday, after which additional women came forward with allegations that have prompted the Metropolitan Police’s formal investigation.
Comedian Remains in Psychiatric Hospital
Walliams, who became widely known through television programmes including Little Britain and Come Fly With Me, has also enjoyed considerable success as a children’s author.
The former Britain’s Got Talent judge was once described as the new Roald Dahl following the popularity of his children’s books.
The High Court was told that he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act on October 22 for his own safety.
He remains in a psychiatric hospital.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police investigation is continuing, with detectives reviewing the allegations and encouraging anyone with relevant information or experiences to come forward.
