BBC Reacts To David Walliams Furore Ahead Of Would I Lie To You? Special

The BBC has issued a public response to the recent media furore surrounding the comedian and actor David Walliams.

Last week, the publisher HarperCollins announced it was severing ties with the Little Britain star, with a spokesperson stating: “After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams.

“HarperCollins takes employee well-being extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns.”

The Telegraph reported at the time that this decision followed an investigation from the newspaper into the former Britain’s Got Talent judge’s conduct.

David’s spokesperson later said that the performer had “never been informed of any allegations raised against him” by his publisher, and that he “was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions”.

His rep added: “David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”

On Boxing Day, David is one of the panellists on the latest festive special of Would I Lie To You?, with a BBC spokesperson saying the corporation had no plans to make “any changes to the festive schedules”, meaning the episode will go out as planned.

The rep also noted that the BBC has “no future projects directly involving David Walliams” coming.

David’s appearance on Would I Lie To You? was pre-recorded over the summer.

Shortly after the taping, reports in the press claimed he’d left his fellow guests and the studio audience shocked by performing a Nazi salute with one hand and a sexual gesture with the other in response to an anecdote by fellow guest, Call The Midwife actor Helen George.

A BBC spokesperson later said: “The use of such an offensive gesture is completely unacceptable and we apologise to all at the recording for the offence caused.”