UPDATE: The BBC has confirmed it will not remove David Walliams from its Christmas lineup, despite growing pressure following serious allegations of inappropriate behavior. Walliams, a prominent children’s author, was dropped by his publisher HarperCollins on December 15, 2023, after an investigation revealed accusations of harassment towards young women.
Despite the controversy, the BBC will air an episode of the panel show Would I Lie To You? on Boxing Day, featuring Walliams as a guest. Additionally, adaptations of his popular children’s books, Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress, are scheduled for broadcast on December 21. This decision has sparked outrage, as critics question the judgment of continuing to promote Walliams’ work.
“Innocent until proven guilty. But with the BBC’s record for getting it wrong, it probably would be better being safe than sorry,”
stated an MP regarding the network’s choice to air content featuring Walliams.
The BBC previously faced backlash after Walliams was seen giving two Nazi salutes during the Christmas recording, prompting an apology and the removal of the scene from the episode. This incident only fueled the fire surrounding his ongoing controversies.
Walliams has been a bestselling author with titles like Fing, which is being adapted into a film co-funded by Sky, currently in production in Brisbane, Australia. His agent claims that Walliams was never informed of any allegations made against him, asserting that he is taking legal advice and strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Amid the unfolding scandal, Walliams has been vacationing at the Park Hyatt Hadahaa resort in the Maldives, reportedly costing around £5,000-a-night (approximately $6,647), sharing images of his trip on social media. His glamorous getaway contrasts sharply with the serious allegations emerging against him.
HarperCollins released a statement confirming the decision to sever ties with Walliams under their new CEO. They emphasized their commitment to employee wellbeing while declining to comment on specific internal matters, including the circumstances of a female employee who reportedly left the company with a five-figure payout after raising concerns about Walliams’ behavior.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how this controversy will impact Walliams’ future projects or the airing of his existing works. The public’s response will be crucial, as many call for accountability in the wake of serious allegations against a figure who has long been celebrated in children’s literature.
As the BBC stands firm in its programming decisions, viewers and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see if further actions will be taken in response to the ongoing backlash.
