David Walliams is named as celebrity who tried to block reporting of sex abuse claims against him

David Walliams can today be unmasked as the celebrity who tried to tried to block reporting of sex abuse claims against him.The TV star and author is accused of 'abusing his status' to conduct 'inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities' with 'a large number' of women and girls.Former Britain's Got Talent judge Walliams, 55, launched a High Court bid to gag the media, using the 'unprecedented' argument that he would kill himself if the allegations went public.However, a judge last week dismissed his request, and Walliams did not lodge an appeal by the 4.30pm deadline on Monday.It comes 11 months after publisher Harper Collins dropped millionaire Walliams amid accusations that he had 'harassed' female junior employees.The High Court heard that news network ITN and the Guardian newspaper had interviewed more than 100 people, including 30 with 'first-hand accounts', as part of a joint investigation into Walliams.Rather than claiming the stories would breach of his right to privacy, as celebrities have done previously, Walliams claimed they would breach his right to life as they would cause him to kill himself.However, Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that the court had no responsibility to protect his life, and that gagging the news outlets would be a serious threat to free speech.Children's author and TV star David Walliams is accused of abusing his status to target girls and young women. He denies the claims Walliams, who rose to fame on comedy series Little Britain before becoming one of the most prolific faces on British television, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. His past romantic connections have included Patsy Kensit, Geri Halliwell, Lisa Snowdon, Ashley James, model Lauren Budd and Miss Norway contender Sylvia Flote.Most prominent among his past lovers is his ex-wife, the Dutch supermodel Lara Stone, to whom he was married for five years.Despite enjoying extraordinary success as a comedian and children's author, selling more than 60 million books worldwide and amassing a £20 million fortune, Walliams has faced a series of controversies over the years.They have included allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards colleagues, offensive remarks about talent show contestants and bizarre comedy routes branded 'creepy' and 'sick'.Last week, Sara Mansoori KC told the High Court that Walliams had already tried to kill himself twice since learning of the allegations, including while absconding from a secure hospital in July.'The [media outlets] wish to publish allegations of wrongdoing which he denies and which the evidence is clear will highly likely lead to his death or psychological injury,' she said.'The only way [publication] wouldn't be fatal is if [Walliams] is locked up and prevented from taking his own life.'Walliams, pictured last month, lost his bid to block the media from publishing sex abuse claims against him and did not appeal the decision Walliams was previously married to Dutch model Lara Stone, pictured in 2014 His other ex-girlfriends have included model Lauren Budd, pictured at the height of his fame in 2009The court heard that when Walliams was told about the allegations in May, his 'body language completely changed' and he went into a state of 'extreme panic'.'He started saying that he wanted to kill himself and would seek to do so,' said Ms Mansoori. 'Publication of these allegations would lead to a very substantial increase in suicidal ideation and suicidal acts.'Gavin Millar KC, for the media outlets, described Walliams's argument as 'unprecedented' and risked dragging the courts into 'assessing the causes of suicidal ideation, which are for professionals and not for a judge'.A psychiatrist who assessed Walliams said his mood disorder was treatable and it would be 'significantly safer' for him to remain in a secure hospital if the allegations were published. It is not the first time that Walliams's behaviour has faced public scrutiny.In a sketch called 'Hide the Sausage' that formed part of a 2006 Little Britain stage show, the comedian played a fictional children's entertainer and would invite young male volunteers on stage.Footage that recently resurfaced online showed Walliams humiliating a 16-year-old boy by pulling his trousers and pants down in front of the audience, saying: 'Bingo - you're a big boy for 16, aren't you? That's what I'll tell the judge.'The boy could be seen struggling to keep his genitals covered as Walliams wrestled to kiss his buttocks.Walliams later defended the sketch, saying: 'To me, there are no subjects you can't make fun of, because if you make that line then you have to get rid of all comedy.'In January 2018, Walliams was forced to apologise after hosting the annual all-male Presidents Club charity dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel.An undercover investigation revealed that women serving drinks had been instructed to wear revealing black outfits with matching underwear and high heels, and were subjected to sexually inappropriate behaviour by guests.Walliams was not accused of harassment himself but later said he was 'absolutely appalled' by the behaviour.In November 2022, Walliams's decade-long stint as a judge on Britain's Got Talent came to an end after a leaked transcript revealed him making crude and sexually explicit remarks about contestants.The comments had been recorded during auditions at the London Palladium, when microphones picked up conversations between the judges during filming breaks.According to the transcript, Walliams referred to an older male contestant as a 'c***' three times after he left the stage, and said about one female contestant: 'She thinks you want to f*** her but you don't.'Walliams apologised for the remarks but later sued BGT producers Fremantle, saying they misused private information and claiming the leak had caused him psychiatric harm and financial losses. The company settled out of court.In June 2025, Walliams was reprimanded by the BBC after performing Nazi salutes during a recording of the Christmas special of panel show Would I Lie To You?The incident took place during a segment involving actress Helen George, who was discussing an injury she had sustained while waving during the Strictly Come Dancing tour.The BBC described the gesture as 'completely unacceptable' and production company Zeppotron said any attempt at humour involving the gesture was 'unacceptable in any context'.Later that year, publisher HarperCollins said it would no longer publish any new books by Walliams after reports of inappropriate behaviour towards junior female employees.One former employee was reportedly given a five-figure payoff by the publisher after raising concerns, while others said they had been advised to work in pairs when meeting Walliams and not to visit his home.In September this year, HarperCollins announced it would stop publishing Walliams's entire back catalogue of books, ending an almost 20-year relationship between the author and publisher.His books, including Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink and Ratburger, have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.Walliams has strongly denied any wrongdoing from the outset.