Famous comedian David Walliams has been named as the subject of a sex scandal. As reported by the Guardian, this comes after a legal attempt to strike off the report due to his mental health and wellbeing.
The allegations involve a joint investigation from the Guardian as well as ITV News. They reportedly interviewed 30 first-hand sources about Walliams' conduct.
The allegations include two women who say they were abused and groomed by him. Two women say that Walliams groomed them for an indeterminate amount of time from when they were 15. The women also said that the incident had affected them for nearly two decades.
Other allegations surfaced from the investigation involve Walliams' alleged use of his position as a judge on Britain's Got Talent and an author at former publisher HarperCollins. He allegedly had a "sexual relationship" with a junior member of staff in the latter company.
A legal attempt to strike off the publication of these allegations was originally filed as 55-year-old Walliams had reportedly tried to take his own life multiple times. He reportedly did so after the publications came to him with the allegations they had found.
The high court was given this information, with lawyers explaining that "his response was not a sign of guilt but rather a fear of public shame that came from deep-rooted trauma caused by childhood experience."
Sara Mansoori KC, the barrister representing the comedian, said that he would attempt suicide again if these details were released. He is currently being held in a psychiatric hospital.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The Famous Comedian Released a Statement
Following the publication of these allegations, the famous comedian released a statement. There, per Page Six, he denied being a "sexual predator" but also expressed "regret" about his past actions.
"Looking back, I realize that at times I behaved thoughtlessly," he wrote. While he did not name anyone, he said he did so "towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with".
"And whilst a power imbalance in inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely," he continued. "It is something I never did."
He also insisted that he has "not broken the law". "I am devastated that some of the women I met... The famous comedian is alleged to have groomed and abused several women. He released a statement about the allegations.have now expressed hurt or anger toward me."
We will keep you updated as this story develops.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226. You can also call or text the Suicide Hotline at 988.
