Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are pictured with David Walliams and 18-year-old fan at BGT studios as he's accused of 'using his fame to groom her as a teen'

Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are pictured with David Walliams and 18-year-old fan at BGT studios as he's accused of 'using his fame to groom her as a teen'

Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon took a photo with David Walliams and an 18-year-old fan. Just two weeks later the 18-year-old claimed Walliams tried to kiss her after getting her drunk on wine while he had water.Walliams, 55, was today unmasked as the celebrity who fought for a court order to suppress allegations that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl and preyed on multiple other teenagers.The TV star and author is accused of 'abusing his status' on Little Britain and Britain's Got Talent to engage in 'inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities' with 'a large number' of women and girls.The 2016 photo is included in ITV News and the Guardian's joint report and sees Walliams posing with his BGT co-stars and three young fans, including Sarah who was 18 when she met the then 44-year-old Walliams.In 2012, Walliams was a household name and joined Britain's Got Talent (BGT) as a judge.During the 2016 recording the popular ITV show, Walliams had spotted Sarah's 18-year-old friend in the crowd, a young woman he had been in touch with for more than a year. Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon took a photo with David Walliams and an 18-year-old fan, who two weeks later claimed Walliams tried to kiss her after getting her drunk on wine while he had waterAs Walliams' guests the group were giving special seats behind the judges: Walliams, Dixon, Holden and Cowell. He then called her, Sarah and another friend up to the BGT judges' table for a photograph. After the filming ended, Sarah said she was waiting for a train home when she says she received a direct message from Walliams on Instagram, inviting her and her friends back to filming the next day. 'He was like: "Come to my hotel and we'll get some food and then I'll take you over to Britain's Got Talent"' she recalled. A fortnight later Walliams invited Sarah to stay over at his house, inviting her and a friend, who was also 18.He allegedly poured them wine but drank water himself. She became tipsy.'He kind of put his arms around the back of my waist, pulled me in towards him and tried to kiss me,' she claimed.'I was like, 'I've got a boyfriend, you can't do that'.''I was just like no thank you, absolutely not, also, you're the same age as my mum. I was like, okay, this is where I need to get my wits about me now, and I need to be careful.' In 2012, Walliams was a household name and joined Britain's Got Talent (BGT) as a judge (pictured in 2017 with show host Ant McPartlin, Cowell, Holden, Dixon and host Declan Donnelly) The girls decided to go to bed but she claims he tried to take her to another floor. Her friend intervened and grabbed her hand, she claims.'I could have run out the door, and I wouldn't have known where I was. I wouldn't have known who to call. I wouldn't have known what to do,' she said.She claims to have messages where Walliams asked her friend if she 'liked' him.Another BGT fan, Abby Tomlinson, said she was invited by Walliams via Twitter when she was 17. She went with a friend who was 13.She said they were sent to his dressing room and two other teenagers were there.When put to his lawyers, they said his 'door remained open at all times'.She told ITV: 'That's not what happened at all… The door was shut and we were alone with him.'I know now it's part of the pattern of inviting young girls and young women to his dressing room.'It wasn't just like a one-off thing and I think that is a really concerning way for someone to act when they have this access.'It's an open secret in the industry. Everyone knows that it's happening. I just think it's kind of disgraceful that he's still on TV.'There is no suggestion that Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden or Alesha Dixon knew anything about Walliams behaviour towards the girls mentioned in the recent media reports. Fremantle UK, who produce BGT, said: 'David Walliams left Britain's Got Talent four years ago. During his time on the show, and in the four years since, no complaint has ever been made - either to Fremantle UK, the broadcaster or regulator, and we are not aware of any complaints having been made to any other external authority - regarding his behaviour.'Nevertheless, if anyone feels they have been the subject of any impropriety or wrongdoing by anyone, we encourage them to come forward. We will treat any complaints seriously and investigate thoroughly and to the best of our ability. This has long been our policy in terms of protecting employees, freelancers, contributors and fans and absolutely remains paramount in our thinking and actions as a responsible television production company.'Syco Entertainment said: 'Syco Entertainment had no knowledge of the allegations described and was not made aware of them at the time.'ITV said in a statement: 'We are very sorry to hear about the concerns that have been raised. BGT is produced for ITV by Fremantle, an independent production company.'Although ITV is the broadcaster of the programme, the producer has day to day responsibility for the running of the production, including all aspects of duty of care, and for ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations as well as ITV's production and compliance guidelines.'

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