Kate Smurthwaite says women warned each other about David Walliams

Comedian Kate Smurthwaite said a WhatsApp chat was created for women in comedy to share concerns about men to avoid on tour and in television studios, the Daily Mail reported. Smurthwaite stated that 55-year-old television star and children's author David Walliams was repeatedly named in the group as a man to avoid. She also claimed that schools were allegedly warned that Walliams was not an appropriate booking. [1]

An investigation by The Guardian and ITV accused Walliams of grooming, preying on young women for sex, and sexual misconduct, France 24 and BBC News reported. Walliams has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, grooming, inappropriate behaviour, and abusing his power more than ten years ago. He insisted that he is not a sexual predator, according to the Daily Mail. [1][5][7]

Concerns about Walliams also extended into the publishing industry, BBC News reported. BBC News stated that an author reported real concerns about the comedian within the industry. [7]

Smurthwaite is a British comedian and political activist who has appeared on television and radio as a pundit, offering comment on politics and religion. Walliams is an English actor, comedian, writer, and television personality who rose to prominence on the sketch comedy series Little Britain and served as a judge on Britain's Got Talent from 2012 to 2022. [8][9][10]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the British Culture Secretary called a meeting with media and entertainment industry figures to discuss safeguarding following the allegations. The government warned the sector to improve protections for women and children or face government action. [6][11][12]