The BBC has confirmed it will proceed with broadcasting a repeat of a controversial Christmas special featuring comedian David Walliams on Boxing Day, despite a fresh scandal that saw him dropped by his publisher. The 58-year-old children's author and former 'Britain's Got Talent' judge faces allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards junior female staff at HarperCollins.
Publisher Severs Ties Amid Harassment Allegations
HarperCollins, Walliams's long-time publisher, has terminated its relationship with the prolific author following an internal investigation. The publisher stated it takes employee wellbeing 'extremely seriously' and has robust processes for reporting concerns. Walliams, who has written over 40 children's books including the bestselling 'Gangsta Granny', strongly denies the allegations. He claims he was unaware of the investigation and is now seeking legal advice.
The fallout from the investigation reportedly included a five-figure payout to one employee who raised concerns about Walliams, who subsequently left HarperCollins. This controversy adds to a series of incidents that have plagued the comedian's career in recent years.
Previous Controversies and the Boxing Day Broadcast
This is not the first time Walliams has been at the centre of a media storm. Last year, he was filmed making two Nazi salutes during the recording of the very same 'Would I Lie To You?' Christmas special scheduled for repeat. The BBC issued an apology at the time and assured the public that the offensive gestures 'would not be broadcast under any circumstances', leading to an edited version airing in Christmas 2024.
Despite the ongoing allegations from HarperCollins, the BBC has stated it will not alter its festive schedules. A BBC spokesperson confirmed that the special will air as planned at 7pm on BBC One on Boxing Day. However, the broadcaster added it has 'no future projects directly involving David Walliams'.
A Pattern of Controversial Behaviour
Walliams's career has been marked by several high-profile controversies:
- In 2022, he was removed from 'Britain's Got Talent' after leaked recordings captured him making offensive remarks about contestants, including calling one a 'c**'. He later apologised for these 'disrespectful comments' and reached a settlement with production company Fremantle.
- His sketch show 'Little Britain', co-written with Matt Lucas, has faced sustained criticism for its use of blackface and characters widely deemed racist.
- Reflecting on so-called 'cancel culture' in 2024, Walliams described the experience as 'exhausting', arguing that comedy often exists 'on the edge'.
The decision to broadcast the repeat places the BBC in a delicate position, balancing its published schedules against the backdrop of serious allegations concerning one of its featured stars. The broadcaster appears to be drawing a line between past behaviour, for which it has already apologised and edited content, and new, unrelated allegations currently facing the comedian.
