Television presenter Jonathan Ross has expressed shock over the allegations of sexual misconduct against comedian David Walliams, while addressing a controversial joke he made about the Little Britain star more than two decades ago.
Ross said he was “horrified” by the allegations against Walliams and the crimes committed by Russell Brand, who was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Monday for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
In a statement, Ross acknowledged that he had been on friendly terms with both men at different points in his life but insisted he had no knowledge of their alleged conduct at the time.
“My thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward,” he said.
Controversial Joke at 2004 British Comedy Awards Resurfaces
Ross also addressed footage from the 2004 British Comedy Awards, where he made a joke about Walliams potentially going home with a 15-year-old.
The remark was delivered as Ross introduced the awards ceremony’s 15th anniversary celebrations.
Little Britain, created by Walliams and Matt Lucas, had just won the award for Best TV Comedy.
“The comedy awards is 15 years old – 15 years old!” Ross told the audience.
“And like most 15-year-olds, it’s drunk, it’s unpredictable and it’s probably going home with David Walliams.”
Walliams was filmed laughing at the joke, which was broadcast on national television.
The clip resurfaced after Walliams was identified as the celebrity who had sought an injunction to prevent the publication of allegations against him.
Ross Says He Would Not Make the Joke Today
Reflecting on the resurfaced footage, Ross admitted that revisiting the joke was deeply shocking.
He explained that the line had been provided by the Comedy Awards’ scriptwriting team and that he understood it as a reference to Walliams having publicly dated younger women, with the situation exaggerated for comedic effect.
Ross described the joke as tasteless and said he would not make a similar remark about anyone today.
He added that if he had known the joke might have referred to actual events, he would have refused to deliver it and would have reconsidered his personal and professional relationship with Walliams.
Ross also said he believed he would have acted if he had been aware of any misconduct.
David Walliams Faces Allegations Involving Teenage Girls and Young Women
Walliams has been accused of using his position on television programmes, including Little Britain and Britain’s Got Talent, to target young women and girls.
The allegations include claims of sexual assault and what has been described as inappropriate and exploitative sexual activity involving a large number of women.
He denies wrongdoing and has challenged the claims in court.
During proceedings at the High Court, Walliams reportedly said he would kill himself if his identity was made public.
The allegations became a subject of political attention on Tuesday, when Downing Street described claims made by multiple women as “deeply troubling”.
The Government also expressed concern about the use of injunctions to prevent the publication of such allegations.
Labour subsequently suspended Walliams as a party member.
Woman Alleges She Was Assaulted When She Was 15
One of the women making allegations against Walliams, identified as Jade by ITV News and The Guardian, claims the comedian sexually assaulted her when she was 15.
According to her account, Walliams contacted her online before they arranged to meet in Soho.
She alleges that he subsequently drove her to his home in an Aston Martin.
Jade said the alleged incident happened at Supernova Heights, a property previously owned by Oasis musician Noel Gallagher.
She claimed Walliams, who was 36 at the time, initially hugged and kissed her before lifting her top and touching her sexually.
Jade alleged that he also attempted to put her hand down his trousers, but she pulled away and told him no.
She said she was not prepared to have sex and did not want to be touched in that manner.
The woman further alleged that she had previously told Walliams about being sexually abused as a child by another person. According to her account, he responded by expressing sympathy.
Jade described the alleged encounter as sexual assault and grooming, saying she was only 15 at the time.
Walliams Rejects Claims of Sexual Predatory Behaviour
In a statement provided to ITV News and The Guardian, Walliams acknowledged that he had sometimes behaved thoughtlessly towards women with whom he had casual sexual relationships.
He said he recognised that he had not always properly considered other people’s feelings and expressed regret over his past behaviour.
However, he rejected accusations that he had abused his position of fame or engaged in criminal conduct.
Walliams said that although a power imbalance was inevitable when one person was famous, abusing that influence was something he insisted he had never done.
“I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,” he said.
He added that he was devastated that some women he had met between 10 and 20 years ago had since expressed feelings of hurt or anger towards him.
