David Walliams has been named as the man who sought an injunction to block the reporting of allegations against him.
The 55-year-old comedian and author took legal action against Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM) after they planned to publish claims that included sexual misconduct and possible criminal behaviour.
Lawyers for the media organisations told the High Court in London the allegations involved Walliams' alleged “abuse of power and status” to contact young women and try to engage in “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities.”
He denied the claims and argued that publication posed a serious risk to his life, citing two previous suicide attempts, but his bid to stop publication was unsuccessful.
Walliams was granted anonymity during the proceedings but was publicly named after his injunction was dismissed and the stories were published on Tuesday.
The court heard that reporters had spoken to more than 100 people as part of what was described as a “wide-ranging and rigorous investigation,” including more than 30 first-hand sources.
Sara Mansoori KC, representing Walliams, said the author had no plans to return to public life and that his mental health concerns were genuine, not raised to delay or block publication.
Mr Justice Nicklin refused the injunction, ruling it would be an “exceptionally serious interference” with freedom of expression.
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He said in his judgment that Walliams’ detention under the Mental Health Act meant the state had assumed responsibility for his immediate safety and could provide “significant protection” to reduce the risk of suicide.
Walliams is best known for his work on Little Britain, Come Fly With Me, and as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.
He has sold more than 60 million children’s books worldwide, including The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny.
His publisher, HarperCollins, dropped him in December 2025 after an investigation into allegations he had “harassed” young women, which Walliams strongly denied.
In 2019, Walliams publicly supported the 'Save Our Libraries Essex' campaign, sharing a photo of himself holding a sign to oppose proposed library closures.
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