David Walliams’ Past Ties to Russell Brand Draw New Attention

The Guardian reported that its investigation drew on 30 sources with first-hand knowledge of alleged conduct by Walliams. Two women said they first met him when they were 15 and that they had been groomed. One alleged he began contacting her at 15 and that a sexual relationship began when she was 17. Another said they had lewd online conversations when she was 15, including questions from Walliams about her sexual experiences.

Walliams’ lawyers disputed the grooming allegation and sought to prevent publication. His barrister, Sara Mansoori KC, argued that publication could lead him to take his own life. The court allowed news organizations to publish the women’s accounts but did not determine whether the allegations were true. Walliams has denied exploiting women through his celebrity status. He said he was “not a sexual predator” and had not broken the law, while expressing devastation that women he met 10 to 20 years ago had described feeling hurt or angry.

Brand’s case resulted in criminal convictions. A jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. It acquitted him of two other rape charges and a charge of attempted indecent assault. Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being remanded in custody following the verdict.

The comedians’ earlier association included an appearance on the first episode of “The Russell Brand Show” on November 24, 2006, where they kissed. After actor Matt Lucas called them “the two gayest straight blokes,” Walliams replied, “Isn’t it a wonderful smokescreen?” Brand agreed, according to the Daily Mail. Walliams also attended Brand’s 2010 stag party before Brand’s marriage to Katy Perry.

During his trial testimony, Brand said he had been unable to persuade friends and former colleagues to testify for him. Asked by his barrister, Ian Winter KC, whether they would “touch you with a barge pole,” Brand replied that there was no one. Walliams was not publicly among those who defended him.