David Walliams named as celebrity in failed injunction bid over sexual misconduct claims
The celebrity accused of using his status to engage in 'inappropriate sexual activities with a large number of girls and young women' in an investigation by The Guardian and ITV News has been named as David Walliams.
The news comes following reports that an unnamed star was seeking an injunction to prevent media outlets from publishing his identity and the allegations that have been made against him.
On Tuesday (3 Nov), the 55-year-old lost his bid for a High Court injunction against two media organisations. It was initially ruled, however, that he couldn't be named subject to any appeal.
On the first day of a trial that began last week (27 Oct), Walliams' legal team, led by Sara Mansoori KC, told the judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, that any publication of this information would make the celebrity 'highly likely' to kill themselves.
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Mansoori added that this threat wasn't due to any wrongdoing on his part, but based on his fears over a 'trial by media'.
"The only reason they would not be fatal is that the claimant would be locked up and prevented from his desire to end his life," she continued.
Mansoori went on to say that Walliams had previously made a suicide attempt after receiving letters from ITN and GNM (Guardian News and Media) asking for his response to the allegations, later absconding from hospital and attempting suicide for a second time.
"This is not a case where an individual has spuriously raised 'mental health' concerns in the face of an impending publication that they do not wish to occur," she said in written statements.
"The claimant has attempted suicide twice as a result of these matters, been hospitalised for months, been the subject of involuntary detention and been examined by multiple - now more than 10 - doctors."
The court also heard that the former Britain's Got Talent judge - referred to in court as 'PPT' - denied abusing 'his power and position as a celebrity to contact and forge relationships with young women and teenagers to try to have sex with them'.
Lawyers representing ITN and GNM told the court that Walliams' 'suicide risk' could be mitigated, arguing there was no proper basis to 'restrain the publication of public interest journalism'.
Gavin Millar KC, the lawyer representing the two media groups, said in written submissions that 'numerous allegations' about the star had been gathered during 'a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation'.
Millar said reporters from both outlets had spoken to over 100 people, and that the allegations against Walliams 'indicated a pattern of behaviour'.
He added many of the allegedly abused women 'have been traumatised by the claimant's alleged conduct and have suffered mental health crises and mental illness as a result'.
A medical report added that inpatient treatment could provide 'significant, but not complete mitigation of the risk', but said potentially prolonged treatment had 'a realistic potential to reduce the risk'.
Judge Nicklin agreed there was 'significant public interest' in the proceedings and that 'this is a difficult and important case'.
"The court must determine it fairly, on the evidence and legal submissions," he told the court.
Judge Nicklin said that he'd determine whether the star's name could be published, but wouldn't be responsible for determining the truth or accuracy of the allegations against him.
He also urged the media not to speculate over Walliams' identity.
"The existence of online speculation, however confidently expressed or widely repeated, does not authorise anyone to identify, or purport authoritatively to identify, PPT in connection with these proceedings," the judge continued. "Nor does repetition transform speculation into established fact."
Walliams' book publisher HarperCollins - the brand behind The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny, the latter of which became a one-hour BBC special in 2013 - dropped him in December 2025 following an investigation into claims he'd 'harassed' young women - an allegation he denied at the time.
Alton Towers theme park permanently closed its World Of David Walliams attraction - which featured rides hinges on his books - earlier this month.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk
Topics: Celebrity, UK News, Crime, Entertainment, News
The Tyla Team