Jonathan Ross has spoken publicly about his former relationships with David Walliams and Russell Brand, saying he was unaware of their alleged and convicted misconduct while they were on friendly terms.
The television presenter said he was “horrified” by the allegations against Walliams and Brand, adding that his thoughts were with the women who had come forward with their accounts.
His statement followed the resurfacing of footage from the 2004 British Comedy Awards, in which Ross made a joke about Walliams potentially going home with a 15-year-old girl.
Ross Says He Was Unaware of Their Conduct
In a statement released on Tuesday night, Ross acknowledged that he had previously maintained personal and professional relationships with both entertainers.
He said he had no knowledge of their conduct during the period they were friends and expressed sympathy for the women who had spoken about their experiences.
Ross also addressed the controversial 2004 joke, describing it as tasteless and acknowledging that he would not make a similar remark today.
He explained that the joke had been supplied by the British Comedy Awards’ scriptwriting team and that he understood its punchline to be a reference to Walliams having publicly dated younger women, exaggerated for comedic effect.
Ross added that he would have refused to deliver the joke if he had suspected it referred to actual events.
He also said he would not have continued a personal or professional relationship with Walliams had he known about such conduct.
David Walliams Regularly Attended Ross’s Private Events
Walliams and Ross maintained a public friendship for several years, with the comedian frequently appearing on the presenter’s television programmes and attending private gatherings.
Throughout the 2010s, Walliams was a regular guest at Ross’s Halloween parties at his home in northwest London.
One such appearance attracted controversy in 2017 when Walliams dressed as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
His costume included a black suit and red lapel pins representing previous North Korean rulers. He was also accused of darkening his skin as part of the disguise.
The pair were photographed together again in 2024 following dinner at Scott’s Restaurant in London’s Mayfair.
Walliams also made several appearances on The Jonathan Ross Show. During the 2016 Christmas Special, he discussed his unsuccessful attempt to secure a date with his friend, singer Kylie Minogue.
In 2024, he returned to the programme to talk about meeting Tom Cruise alongside his son and a proposed project involving his former comedy partner Matt Lucas.
Walliams Faces Allegations Involving Teenagers
The comedian has been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and targeting multiple teenagers, according to an investigation by The Guardian and ITV.
Walliams has denied the allegations and has not been charged with any offences.
In a response provided to ITV News and The Guardian, he acknowledged that he had sometimes behaved thoughtlessly towards people with whom he had casual sexual relationships.
He said he regretted not always taking their feelings into consideration but rejected claims that he had abused his position or acted as a sexual predator.
Walliams maintained that he had not broken the law and said he was devastated that some women he had met between 10 and 20 years ago had subsequently expressed hurt or anger towards him.
Ross and Russell Brand’s Friendship Dates Back to the 2000s
Ross’s association with Brand developed during the late 2000s, when the comedian was becoming a prominent television and radio personality.
Brand appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in May 2006.
The following year, both men featured on Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
Their association also extended to other high-profile entertainment events, where they were photographed alongside celebrities including Noel Gallagher.
In 2011, Ross, Walliams and Brand also appeared together at various entertainment gatherings, while the presenter continued hosting both comedians on his television programmes.
Sachsgate Scandal Nearly Ended Both Careers
In 2008, Ross and Brand became embroiled in a major broadcasting controversy after leaving a series of offensive voicemails for veteran actor Andrew Sachs during their BBC Radio 2 programme.
The incident, which became known as ‘Sachsgate’, involved comments about Brand’s relationship with Sachs’s 23-year-old granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.
The controversy began after Sachs failed to appear for an interview on the programme.
During the broadcast, the presenters left messages discussing Brand’s relationship with Baillie, including Ross shouting: “He f***ed your granddaughter!”
The broadcast generated widespread complaints and resulted in the BBC receiving a £150,000 fine.
Brand subsequently left the radio station and moved to the United States, while Ross was suspended from the BBC for 12 weeks.
Despite the controversy, the two men continued their association.
The following year, they appeared together on radio, with Ross expressing his desire to work on a major programme with Brand and joking that they would eventually rule the world.
Brand and Ross Reunited on Television After the Scandal
In 2013, Brand returned to Ross’s ITV1 chat show, marking their first television reunion since the Sachsgate controversy.
During their subsequent discussions, Ross described the experience of going through the scandal together as something that had brought them closer.
He said that although both men were embarrassed by their actions, the incident had resulted in a close friendship.
Ross described the friendship as the only genuinely positive outcome he had taken from the controversy.
Russell Brand Sentenced Following Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions
Brand was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on Monday after being convicted at Southwark Crown Court of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The conviction followed allegations of sexual offences against him, which have also attracted significant public attention.
His previous appearances alongside Ross have resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of their association.
The presenter also appeared with Brand and other entertainment personalities at public events, including a 2013 benefit evening organised by The Hoping Foundation for Palestinian refugee children.
Ross Releases Full Statement Addressing Both Men
In his statement, Ross said he was horrified by the revelations concerning Walliams and Brand’s crimes.
He acknowledged his previous friendships with the two men but insisted that he had been unaware of their conduct at the time.
He also addressed the resurfaced British Comedy Awards footage, explaining the circumstances surrounding the joke and reiterating that he would not have delivered it had he understood it to be connected to actual events.
Ross concluded by expressing support for the women who had come forward.
