Jonathan Ross says he is horrified by David Walliams and Russell Brand revelations

Ross addresses his 2004 joke

At the 2004 awards, Ross joked that the event was like a 15-year-old: “It’s drunk, it’s unpredictable and it’s probably going home with David Walliams.” He said the joke came from the awards’ script-writing team and that he understood it as a reference to Walliams having publicly dated younger women, exaggerated for comic effect. Ross called the joke tasteless and said he would not make it about anyone today.

Investigation and Walliams response

The Guardian and ITV News published allegations after a three-year joint investigation. A court rejected a legal attempt by Walliams to prevent publication. Walliams, 55, denies wrongdoing. He said: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,” and added that he was devastated that some women he met 10 to 20 years ago had expressed hurt or anger towards him.

Political reactions and industry impact

Former safeguarding minister and Labour MP Jess Phillips said it was important for the law to intervene to prevent allegations being silenced. She told Times Radio that an injunction would have set a “terrible precedent”.

Downing Street called the allegations “deeply troubling”, and Walliams’s Labour party membership has been suspended. Sky said it will no longer hold the licence for Fing!, a film written by and starring Walliams that was expected to be released next year.