Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
BBC But there is pressure to remove it would I Lie To You? Christmas special from the schedule, following allegations of inappropriate behavior against guest panelist David Walliams,
Walliams, 54, was a comedian and children’s author. Dropped by publisher HarperCollins This week, he was accused of inappropriate behavior towards young women. A junior colleague is said to have complained about his conduct, leading to inquiries from other staff members.
Former employees alleged Wire They were advised to work in pairs when meeting them and not to visit their homes.
A spokesman for Walliams said he “strongly denies” any claims and that he was not informed of or party to the investigation conducted by HarperCollins.
Walliams is set to appear in a special festive episode would I Lie To You?It was broadcast on BBC One on Boxing Day with team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack and fellow panellists Jools Holland, Swarzi Shire and Helen George.
Wire The report said an unnamed MP questioned the wisdom of broadcasting the program featuring Walliams, saying: “Innocent until proven guilty. But given the BBC’s record, it’s probably better to be safe than sorry by getting it wrong.”
BBC spokesperson said Independent: “Although we are not making any changes to the festival programme, we do not have any future projects directly involving David Walliams.”
Walliams’ appearance in the special episode made headlines earlier this year, when it emerged that he gave two Nazi salutes during the recording.
East little britain The star is said to have stunned host Rob Brydon, his fellow celebrity panelists as well as the audience with his gesture.
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New customers only. £9.99/month. After the free trial. Plan to automatically renew until canceled.
Advertisement. If you sign up for this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism at The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New customers only. £9.99/month. After the free trial. Plan to automatically renew until canceled.
Advertisement. If you sign up for this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism at The Independent.
At the time, the BBC apologized over the incident and the scene was removed from the episode.
Tonight (21 December), CBBC will air an adaptation of Walliams’s children’s book Boy in dress.
Another children’s book by Walliams, FingIt is currently being adapted for the big screen in a production co-funded by Sky, with Walliams serving as executive producer on the film.
Independent Sky has been contacted for comment on the future of the project.
Williams became famous more than 20 years ago through the comedy series little britainWith Matt Lucas. The show was extremely popular at the time, but in recent years has come under criticism over the series’ use of blackface and claims that it was sexist, classist, and homophobic.
Following his TV career, Walliams has become one of the UK’s most established and successful award-winning children’s authors, with an estimated 60 million copies sold worldwide. His books are widely used in schools.
In 2022, Walliams faced criticism after being caught making vulgar comments about contestants Britain’s Got Talent.
A leaked transcript revealed he called one auditioning contestant a “c***” and said of another: “She thinks you want to fuck with her, but you don’t.”
Walliams later left his role on the show, and apologized for the “offensive comments”, saying they were part of a private conversation that was “never intended to be shared”.
He sued the production company that made it, FremantleMedia bgtFor leaking his private comments. The matter was resolved in November 2023.