Jonathan Ross Statements
TV presenter Jonathan Ross stated he was “horrified” by sexual misconduct allegations against David Walliams and the rape conviction of Russell Brand, bbc.com reported on Tuesday.
In a public statement, Ross noted he was formerly on friendly terms with both men but remained genuinely unaware of their conduct at the time.
Brand received a prison sentence for rape on Monday. Meanwhile, ITV News and The Guardian published joint investigative reports on Tuesday detailing accusations from several women against Walliams.
David Walliams Allegations
Multiple women came forward in a joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian accusing Walliams of grooming them as teenagers. Walliams denies all allegations, stating in a letter to the news organizations that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law, according to The Associated Press.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the claims as the latest in a series of reported power abuses within the media industry. Comedian Lucy Beaumont told Sky News on Tuesday that a young television worker had previously approached her with concerns regarding Walliams’ behavior around young girls.
Angel Studios and Sky drop Walliams from film projects
Angel Studios removed Walliams’ cameo appearance from the fantasy feature film “Fing!”, based on his children’s book, while dropping him from all promotion and marketing, Variety reported. U.K. distributor Sky withdrew its position as the local licensee for the film.
The BBC removed “Little Britain” and other associated content from iPlayer during a comprehensive review, Deadline reported. Walliams’ literary agency, Independent Talent Group, also dropped him following the publication of the reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal steps did David Walliams take regarding the allegations?
Walliams unsuccessfully sought a court injunction to block The Guardian and ITV News from identifying him and publishing the misconduct claims, according to The Associated Press. A judge rejected the request, allowing the publication to proceed.
How did Jonathan Ross address his past remarks?
Ross addressed a 2004 comedy awards show joke referencing Walliams and a 15-year-old, bbc.com reported. Ross stated the line came from the show’s scriptwriting team and that he believed the punchline referred to Walliams dating younger adults rather than actual events.
David Walliams has, finally, been named as the celebrity about whom sordid allegations have been circulating for decades. I delved into his downfall for @spectator https://t.co/CkTt4Hg4sM
What specific charges resulted in Russell Brand’s sentence?
Russell Brand was mentioned regarding a conviction, according to The Associated Press.
More on Jonathan Ross
David Walliams has been revealed as the anonymous celebrity who fought to conceal his identity amid sexual misconduct allegations, with his lawyers arguing the claims going public could put him at risk of suicide. Allegations include grooming teenage girls as young as 15 and… pic.twitter.com/U0PLmZsZFS
The @itvnews investigation which David Walliams tried to stop in the courts. Watch here 👇 https://t.co/jvXQEwPPQW
Many have been asking for a link to my interview with comedian Lucy Beaumont about the #Walliams allegations (which he denies). Here it is:https://t.co/dF0vrnb76i
Jonathan Ross says 'I am horrified' in statement on David Walliams and Russell Brand pic.twitter.com/OLcCp8hgQl
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