Met Police Launch Investigation Into David Walliams Over Alleged Serious Sexual Offences

admin · November 14, 2026 · 5 min read

Metropolitan Police station in London at dusk, illustrative image

London’s Metropolitan Police have opened a criminal investigation into comedian and children’s author David Walliams over alleged non-recent serious sexual offences, the force confirmed on Friday, November 13.

The Met said it had received a number of allegations in recent days involving a man now in his 50s. The force did not name Walliams in its statement — standard practice when a person has not been charged — but the investigation was widely reported as concerning the 55-year-old former Britain’s Got Talent judge.

What the police said

In a statement released on Friday, the Met said: “In recent days, the Met has received a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences involving a man now in his 50s.”

The force said the complaints are separate from those reported by ITV News and The Guardian earlier this week, but added that detectives are also “proactively reviewing that reporting to establish whether there is any evidence of offences.”

Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney, who leads the investigation, urged anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward “no matter when it happened,” saying specialist officers were on hand to support them.

Police have not said how many allegations they have received, what they involve, or when and where the alleged incidents are said to have taken place. No searches have been carried out as part of the investigation, and no arrest has been reported. The Guardian reported that Walliams is currently in a medical facility.

Anyone with information can contact the Met on 101, quoting reference 4900/10NOV26, or call the complex sexual offences unit on 0207 175 2738.

The Guardian and ITV investigation

The police announcement came three days after a joint Guardian and ITV investigation, published on Tuesday, November 10, alleged that Walliams used his fame to target teenage girls and young women for sex. The three-year investigation involved interviews with more than 100 people and first-hand accounts from 30 sources, with claims dating back to 2003. One woman said she was sexually assaulted by Walliams at his London home when she was 15, while others described grooming and inappropriate conduct, including during his time at publisher HarperCollins and on Britain’s Got Talent.

Walliams has denied all of the allegations. In a statement to the two news organisations, he said: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law.”

The reports were published only after Walliams lost a High Court bid for an injunction to stop them. Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin rejected the application, calling an injunction an “exceptionally serious interference” with freedom of expression. Walliams’ lawyers had argued that publication could lead him to take his own life; the judge said responsibility for his safety rested with mental health services.

Fallout since the reports

Since Tuesday, the professional consequences for Walliams have mounted rapidly. HarperCollins dropped him as an author, Alton Towers closed its World of David Walliams attraction, the Labour Party suspended his membership, and the BBC removed episodes of Little Britain from its iPlayer streaming service.

On Friday, Sky exited as the film’s UK distributor for the comedy film “Fing!”, in which Walliams had a cameo, and the producers removed him from the project entirely.

Why this matters

A police investigation marks a significant escalation: the case has moved from published allegations to a criminal inquiry. Crucially, the complaints now being investigated are separate from the media reports, suggesting more people have come forward since Tuesday. The Met’s public appeal — and its decision to review the Guardian and ITV material for evidence — signals the inquiry could widen.

For now, though, the allegations remain untested in court, and no charges have been brought against anyone.

The case also lands days after six more women came forward with fresh allegations against Russell Brand, who was jailed for 10 years and six months on November 9 for rape and sexual assault.

Latest developments

The investigation is at an early stage. The Met has not given a timeline, and it is not yet known whether officers will interview Walliams or seek to speak to the women who gave accounts to the Guardian and ITV. The force said those who have come forward are being supported by specialist officers.

Frequently asked questions

Has David Walliams been charged with any offence?

No. The Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation, but no arrest or charge has been reported, and police have not formally named him in their statement.

What did the Guardian and ITV investigation allege?

It alleged that Walliams used his celebrity status to groom and sexually pursue teenage girls and young women over more than two decades, based on first-hand accounts from 30 sources gathered over a three-year investigation. Walliams denies all of the allegations.

How can people report information to the police?

By calling the Metropolitan Police on 101 and quoting reference 4900/10NOV26, or by contacting the force’s complex sexual offences unit on 0207 175 2738.

What happens next

The Metropolitan Police investigation is the latest turn in a week that has upended Walliams’ career. Whether it leads to charges will depend on what detectives find in the new complaints and in the material gathered by the Guardian and ITV. NNews will update this story as the investigation develops.