Jonathan Ross horrified by Walliams allegations and Brand conviction as women speak out

Ross responds to allegations

Ross said he was horrified by the allegations against Walliams and Brand’s conviction. He added that his thoughts were with the women who had come forward. Ross also explained a joke he made at a 2004 comedy awards show, whose punchline suggested Walliams would go home with a 15-year-old. Ross said the writing team supplied the joke and that he understood it as a comic reference to Walliams having publicly dated younger women.

Reports about Walliams

The Guardian and ITV News published reports on Tuesday alleging sexual misconduct by Walliams. Several women spoke to the outlets for a joint three-year investigation, accusing him of grooming them when they were teenagers. Walliams denies all allegations against him.

The investigation appeared after Walliams lost a legal bid to prevent the claims from being made public. He rose to fame with Matt Lucas in Little Britain, later judged ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and published children’s books.

Lilly Creightmore, who alleges Walliams groomed her as a teenager, told BBC Newsnight she was angry about his behaviour. She said that after she refused his advances for about a week, he became moody, rude and cold.

Responses and police contact

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the allegations were part of a long line of reported abuses of power. She said women should feel safe at work, whistleblowers should be protected and people who abuse their position should not be able to hide behind it.

Agent Dermot McNamara told BBC Newsnight that he had alerted authorities and broadcasters to alleged inappropriate behaviour by Walliams, but no action was taken. He also acknowledged behaving thoughtlessly toward people he had casual sexual relationships with and regretted not always considering their feelings.

The Metropolitan Police contacted the Guardian and ITV News so potential victims could learn how to report criminal allegations. Comedian Lucy Beaumont told Sky News she had spoken to the Guardian about allegations raised with her; she said an alleged victim declined her offer of support.

Earlier broadcast controversy

Ross and Brand were widely criticised over lewd voicemails they left for Andrew Sachs during a BBC Radio 2 broadcast. Sachs, known for Fawlty Towers, was the grandfather of Georgina Baillie, who was in a consensual relationship with Brand in the mid-2000s. The story also includes information about support available through BBC Action Line for people affected by the issues raised.