Comedian Lucy Beaumont has revealed that she was among those who provided information to The Guardian about allegations of sexual misconduct involving David Walliams, explaining that she became concerned about the welfare of one of the women who had accused him.
Speaking to Sky News, the former Celebrity Traitors contestant said she was particularly worried that one alleged victim might take her own life after being left distressed by the situation.
Her disclosure comes after a three-year investigation by ITV News and The Guardian published allegations against the former Little Britain star, including claims involving teenage girls. Walliams has denied all the allegations.
Beaumont Says She Passed Information to The Guardian
Beaumont explained that her involvement began after a young person approached her while she was working on a television programme.
The individual reportedly told her they had previously worked on a production involving Walliams, where their responsibility was to take young girls to the comedian’s dressing room.
According to Beaumont, the person believed the girls were older than 16.
She said she had made efforts to address concerns about the situation privately before deciding to share information with journalists.
“I did as much as I could do privately and whenever I’ve heard a rumour about anyone, I’ve done everything I can,” she told Sky News.
She added: “I’m not the police. Nothing seems to be illegal, but I was really worried, and I was one of the whistleblowers.
I was one of the people to let the Guardian know.”
Comedian Raises Concerns About Safeguarding in Television
The comedian also questioned the lack of formal safeguarding structures within the television industry, arguing that there were limited channels for people to report concerns or seek assistance.
According to Beaumont, television productions do not always have dedicated human resources departments or clear procedures for dealing with safeguarding issues.
She explained that the industry’s working arrangements could make it difficult to establish accountability, as executives and other employees frequently move between productions and roles.
Beaumont said agents were also not necessarily positioned to protect vulnerable individuals because their professional responsibilities were primarily towards the talent they represented.
She added that the industry needed to examine its existing procedures and introduce appropriate interventions.
Beaumont Says She Tried to Help an Alleged Victim
Beaumont confirmed that she had never worked directly with Walliams and had not personally witnessed any of the alleged incidents.
However, after receiving the information, she said she attempted to contact some of the young women involved to establish whether they were safe.
The comedian explained that her previous experience working in a school influenced her decision to intervene.
She said she had become accustomed to having a duty of care towards young people who disclosed troubling experiences, adding that this sense of responsibility had remained with her.
Beaumont eventually contacted one of the alleged victims and offered to cover her legal expenses so she could obtain protection.
She described the woman as being in a particularly difficult emotional state and said she feared she might take her own life.
Alleged Victim Declined Legal Assistance After Being Silenced
According to Beaumont, the woman declined her offer of financial assistance and explained that she had been silenced through a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The comedian said she was particularly concerned that the agreement allegedly prevented the woman from discussing her experiences not only with journalists but also with people close to her.
She explained that the restrictions reportedly extended to conversations with family members, friends and therapists.
Beaumont became emotional while discussing the issue, saying she was struggling to understand how someone in such circumstances could access support.
She added that the woman was reluctant to speak further and was also concerned that anyone she confided in could face legal consequences.
The comedian said her decision to speak publicly was partly motivated by the need for greater intervention and accountability within the entertainment industry.
She also suggested that people with prominent positions in television could be reluctant to raise concerns because of the potential consequences for their careers.
Beaumont said she feared her decision to speak out could affect her own future employment in television, adding that she did not expect to work in the industry again.
Walliams Denies Being a Sexual Predator
Walliams has rejected the allegations made against him.
In a statement provided to ITV News and The Guardian, the comedian acknowledged that some of his past behaviour towards women with whom he had casual sexual relationships had been thoughtless.
He said he regretted not always taking other people’s feelings into consideration.
However, he rejected suggestions that he had abused his position of fame or exploited women.
Walliams stated: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law.”
He also said he was devastated that some women he had encountered between 10 and 20 years ago had since expressed feelings of hurt or anger towards him.
High Court Ruling Allows Walliams to Be Identified
The allegations became public after Walliams launched legal proceedings seeking to prevent media organisations from publishing reports about them.
Last month, a High Court judge rejected his application to stop publication but granted him permission to appeal.
His identity was temporarily withheld while the legal process continued.
However, Walliams subsequently missed a 4.30pm deadline on Monday to take the matter to the Court of Appeal.
The development meant that media organisations could identify him in their reports.
Walliams had argued during the High Court proceedings that revealing his identity would cause him such distress that he would kill himself.
On Tuesday afternoon, Downing Street described the allegations of sexual misconduct involving multiple women as “deeply troubling”.
Woman Alleges Walliams Assaulted Her When She Was 15
Among the allegations published by ITV News and The Guardian is a claim from a woman identified as Jade, who says Walliams sexually assaulted her when she was 15.
She alleges that the comedian first contacted her online before arranging to meet her in London’s Soho.
According to Jade, Walliams, who was 36 at the time, subsequently drove her to his home in an Aston Martin.
She claims the alleged incident happened at Supernova Heights, a property previously owned by Oasis musician Noel Gallagher.
Jade alleged that Walliams initially hugged and kissed her before lifting her top and touching her inappropriately.
She further claimed that he attempted to place her hand down his trousers, but she pulled away and told him no.
The woman said she was not ready for sexual activity and did not want to be touched in that manner.
She also alleged that she had previously told Walliams about being sexually abused as a child by another individual.
Jade described what she says happened as sexual assault and grooming, insisting that the experience was wrong.
Another Woman Claims She Was Contacted at 15
A second woman, identified as Alex, has also made allegations against Walliams.
She claims he first approached her when she was 15 and preparing for her mock GCSE examinations.
The pair reportedly met at a Little Britain fan event, where Walliams was dressed as his character Lou.
Their meeting was captured on camera.
Alex alleges that Walliams continued contacting her and that their relationship became sexual 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 the alleged events.
She said she believed she had been groomed.
Walliams has denied the allegations made against him.
