Prominent television presenter Jonathan Ross has publicly declared he is “horrified” by the recent sexual misconduct allegations leveled against David Walliams and the rape conviction of Russell Brand. In a formal statement, Ross acknowledged he was once on friendly terms with both men, but emphasized that he remained “genuinely unaware of their conduct” during the time they associated. Jonathan Ross and David Walliams pictured in 2005. According to ITV News and the Guardian on Tuesday published, Alleging that Walliams has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women. Or allege other inappropriate behaviour, some of the women accuse Walliams of “grooming” them when they were teenagers. Why Walliams’ unprecedented legal battle to stay anonymous failed. Accusing Walliams of grooming, speaks to Newsnight, lilly Creightmore.
Reports Walliams has denied all claims against him, stating in a letter to journalists that he is “not a sexual predator” and has not “broken the law.” Russell Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10-and-a-half years in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Ross addressed a controversial 2004 joke he delivered at a comedy awards show, which implied Walliams would be returning home with a 15-year-old. Ross characterized the remark as “tasteless,” explaining it was provided by the event’s scriptwriting team. He believed the punchline mocked Walliams’ history of dating younger women. He noted, “Had I had any reason to suspect that it might be referring to actual events, I would not only have refused to use it, but I would not have felt comfortable continuing a personal or professional relationship with him.” Help and support is available at Action Line, if you are affected by any of the issues in this story.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the allegations against Walliams as the “latest in a long line of reported abuses of power” within the media industry.
She remarked that the existing power imbalances remain substantial, noting that Brand’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the immense courage required by women who choose to step forward despite the potential for disbelief and heavy personal costs. Nandy stressed that women must feel secure in their workplace and that abusers must no longer be permitted to hide behind their professional status.
The allegations against Walliams include claims from a woman who says she was groomed at age 15 and had sexual relations with him at 17, and another who alleges he attempted to lift her shirt and sexually assault her during a private meeting at his home. Before going back to his house where he allegedly tried to lift up her shirt and commit an act that she now describes as a sexual assault, another woman alleges she met Walliams for a coffee when she was 15.
Additional claims involve inappropriate behavior at the set of ITV’s *Britain’s Got Talent* and sexual relationships with junior employees at the publisher HarperCollins. Served as a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, and launched a best-selling series of children’s books, walliams rose to fame alongside Matt Lucas in the early 2000s with sketch comedy Little Britain.
Downing Street has characterized the situation as “deeply troubling,” while the Metropolitan Police confirmed they have received inquiries regarding Brand following his sentencing.
Ross, known for hosting top celebrities on his own program, stated he shares the public’s horror regarding the revelations about his former acquaintances. “My thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward,” he added. Ross and Brand previously faced significant public criticism for leaving lewd voicemails for actor Andrew Sachs during a 2008 broadcast, an incident that remains a noted mark on their collaborative history. The grandfather of Georgina Baillie with whom Brand was in a consensual relationship in the mid-2000s, during a, ross and Brand were also widely criticised for leaving lewd voicemails for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs. The grandfather of Georgina Baillie with whom Brand was in a consensual relationship in the mid-2000s, during a Radio 2 broadcast, ross and Brand were also widely criticised for leaving lewd voicemails for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.
