David Walliams: ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Producer Issues Statement

The producer of Britain’s Got Talent has urged anyone who “feels they have been the subject of wrongdoing” to come forward following the just-published David Walliams allegations.

In The Guardian and ITV News’ deep dive into Walliams’ behavior, it was alleged that Walliams invited teenagers back to his dressing room during his time as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent. One woman, who was 18 at the time, said he invited her back to his hotel and then his house after meeting her on the hit ITV and Fremantle entertainment show.

A Fremantle UK spokeswoman told Deadline the super-indie is “disturbed and concerned at these serious allegations.” Fremantle has not yet opened a formal investigation but has urged people to come forward.

“David Walliams has not been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent for more than four years,” said the spokeswoman. “During his time on the show and in the intervening period, no complaint was ever made regarding his behaviour to Fremantle UK. If anyone feels they have been the subject of any impropriety or wrongdoing by anyone on any Fremantle or associated labels’ productions, we encourage them to come forward. We will treat any complaints seriously. Protecting the welfare of our employees, freelancers, contributors and fans has always been and absolutely remains paramount for the company.”

A spokeswoman for ITV said Fremantle, which has “day to day responsiblity” over Britain’s Got Talent, confirmed to the network it had never received complaints about Walliams’ behavior.

Walliams left Britain’s Got Talent under a cloud in 2022 following a leaked recording in which he made comments about contestants including calling someone a “c**t.” He later apologized but settled with Fremantle and Fremantle apologized to him for allowing his “private conversations” to be “published.”

Today’s reports bring the show, which still airs on ITV annually along with an American version, right back into the spotlight.

The Guardian reported accusations that Walliams, who was a Britain’s Got Talent judge for a decade from 2022, invited teenage fans to his dressing room and also invited an 18-year-old and her friend to a hotel and then his house after meeting her on set.

The paper also published WhatsApp messages from former Britain’s Got Talent runners who complained about Walliams informally in work messaging groups. Walliams was reported to have messaged one young runner saying “You always put a smile on my face x” and writing “Hot” under an Instagram photo of her and others. Another runner alleged Walliams stared at her chest in a way that made her feel uncomfortable and overheard him refer to her as “the one with the arse.”

The ITV spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with those who have spoken out and we are very sorry to hear about their experiences. 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. We expect the highest standards of all production companies who work with us, and to be notified of any duty of care concerns when they come to the producer’s attention.”

After failing to have articles blocked by lawyers, The Guardian and ITV News published allegations about Walliams earlier today. He is accused of exploitative sexual activity with girls and young women.

Deadline has contacted Walliams’ legal representatives for comment about the allegations. In a statement to ITV News, Walliams denied all allegations against him. When trying to prevent publication, Walliams’ lawyers revealed that he had made two attempts to take his life because of the allegations.

“I am not a sexual predator… I have not broken the law,” Walliams said. “I am devastated that some of the women I met ten to twenty years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.

He continued: “Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with… I realise I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account. That is something I regret. And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did.”