Key Highlights:
- Model Lilly Creightmore has publicly alleged that television personality and author David Walliams persistently pressured her for sex after contacting her when she was 18 and he was 32.
- A joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News detailing claims of sexual misconduct and grooming was published following a failed legal injunction, with Walliams firmly denying all wrongdoing.
- The Metropolitan Police confirmed awareness of the media reports regarding a man in his 50s, stating that no formal reports of sexual assault have been filed but indicating any received reports will be assessed.
British comedian and author David Walliams is facing allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming following a joint investigation conducted by The Guardian and ITV News. The investigative report was published after a failed injunction that had sought to prevent the claims from being made public. Several women have brought accusations forward, including model Lilly Creightmore, who chose to waive her legal right to anonymity to speak on the record under her own name.
David Walliams has categorically rejected all accusations of impropriety, stating: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law.”
Legal representatives acting on behalf of the 55-year-old entertainer have firmly stated that he denies grooming Lilly Creightmore or behaving inappropriately toward her at any stage of their past acquaintance.
Allegations Concerning Initial Contact and Accommodation
According to reporting from The Guardian, Lilly Creightmore stated that she first came to the comedian’s attention during a recording of the BBC comedy series Little Britain, at a time when she was 18 years old and David Walliams was 32. She alleged that Walliams subsequently sent her a card containing the message: “When I saw you at the Little Britain recording I was enraptured.”
The note continued: “Then when I saw you in Agent Provocateur I so wanted to speak to you but amongst all those frilly knickers I couldn’t find the words.”
It concluded: “I’d love to take you out sometime. I know we’ve never spoken but you seem lovely, David Walliams.”
Creightmore recalled that while she agreed to go to dinner with Walliams, she explicitly informed him that her interest was strictly confined to friendship. Despite this boundary, she told The Guardian that he ‘would constantly pester her for sex’
and that she felt he attempted to coerce her into physical intimacy.
Detailing further events to Newsnight, Creightmore described a period toward the end of 2003 when, following a domestic dispute with her mother, Walliams offered to let her stay at his residence roughly a month after they first connected. Although she believed she had been offered a private space, she claimed that upon her arrival, Walliams ‘didn’t have a spare bed’
and that she ‘felt instantly pressured to share a bed with him’
.
Creightmore stated that she opted to sleep on the sofa instead. Speaking on Newsnight, she alleged that ‘in the evenings he would come and sit with me and stroke my leg’
, adding that ‘one night I think he put his head in my lap’
. She claimed he asked her directly: “Are you sure you don’t want to come and sleep in my bed with me?”
Following her continued refusals, Creightmore claimed that Walliams ‘started to become very moody and rude and cold’
, prompting her to leave the property to stay with another friend because she felt unsafe.
Legal Representation and Defense Statements
Characterizing the encounters to The Guardian, Creightmore described his conduct as ‘extremely inappropriate’
, adding: “He was pursuing me, you know, at a vulnerable age and place in my life, for sexual gratification.“Yeah, I was a young adult, but I was a vulnerable young adult. [He was] making me feel special, plying me with gifts and then sort of disregarding me when he wasn’t getting what he wanted.”
Lawyers representing David Walliams have strongly disputed Creightmore’s characterization of their dynamic. His legal team denied that he manipulated, coerced, or groomed her, maintaining that any gifts or offers of assistance were made without expectation. They explained that Walliams had an interest in photography and wished to assist Creightmore in advancing her career.
His representatives further indicated that the friendship between Walliams and Creightmore spanned approximately five years, during which Walliams regarded the relationship as special. They noted that he was ‘devastated’
by the claims submitted to the news organizations, describing the allegations as a ‘complete surprise’
.
Why This Matters
The publication of the investigation follows the collapse of an injunction effort, marking a notable moment in British media law and investigative journalism concerning public figures. Following the publication, law enforcement officials have addressed the emergence of the public claims.
The Metropolitan Police issued a formal statement addressing the coverage: “We’re aware of reports in the media in relation to allegations involving a man in his 50s.”
The force continued: “The Met has not received any related reports of sexual assault or any other offences. Should we receive any reports, they will be carefully assessed. Anyone who contacts the police will be supported by specialist officers.”
The statement added: “Last week, we contacted the media organisations that were involved in civil proceedings relating to the protection of the identity of that individual, to ensure that any potential victims who they have spoken to could be made aware of how they could report any criminal allegations to police.”
The Metropolitan Police noted that formal reports can be logged via non-emergency police channels by referencing case number 4900/10NOV26.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary allegations against David Walliams?
The joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News details claims from several women alleging sexual misconduct and grooming. Among them, model Lilly Creightmore alleged on the record that Walliams persistently pressured her for sex, attempted to coerce her into sharing a bed, and exhibited inappropriate behavior when she stayed at his home as an 18-year-old.
How has David Walliams responded to the claims?
Walliams has entirely denied the allegations, stating publicly that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law. His legal representatives have affirmed that he never groomed or manipulated Creightmore, stating that any gifts or help offered to her were without expectation, and that he was devastated by the accusations.
Are the police currently investigating the allegations?
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are aware of media reporting concerning a man in his 50s but confirmed that they have not received any official reports of sexual assault or other criminal offenses related to the matter. The force stated that any reports brought forward will be carefully assessed by specialist officers.
