Met Police Investigate David Walliams Over Serious Sexual Offences

London's Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that comedian David Walliams is being investigated for "serious sexual offences". The force said it has received "a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offenses involving a man now in his 50s".

Walliams, a comedian and former "Britain's Got Talent" judge, is one of Britain's most recognisable television personalities. The allegations now under police investigation concern claims of sexual abuse.

The police statement marks a significant escalation. The allegations under active investigation are, according to the Met, separate from those already reported in the press. "The allegations are separate from those reported by ITN and The Guardian," the force said in a statement. "However, as part of their investigation, detectives are also proactively reviewing that reporting to establish whether there is any evidence of offenses."

What did the Guardian and ITV report?

Earlier this week, a Guardian article accused Walliams of sexually abusing a teenage girl. The investigation, published in conjunction with an ITV News documentary, also accused Walliams of "grooming" young fans and sexual harassment. Walliams has denied all the allegations.

The combined Guardian and ITV News reporting went beyond a single accusation. It described a pattern of alleged behaviour directed at young fans of the comedian, according to the published investigation.

What did Walliams do to stop publication?

Earlier this month, Walliams attempted to obtain an injunction preventing the two news organisations, The Guardian and ITV, from publishing the story. He claimed that publishing the allegations would prompt him to commit suicide. A judge denied the application, clearing the way for the joint investigation to be published.

The failed injunction attempt preceded both the Guardian article and the ITV News documentary that carried the allegations.

What does this change for the case?

The Metropolitan Police confirmation moves the matter from media reporting into formal criminal investigation. The force stated plainly that the allegations now under investigation are distinct from those reported by ITN and The Guardian, while detectives review that reporting as part of their inquiry.

Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney, whose team is leading the investigation, issued a direct appeal for further information. "We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offense to come forward and speak to us, no matter when it happened," Cagney said. "We know reporting allegations of this nature can be daunting, but specialist officers are on hand to provide support, answer questions and guide you through the process."

The reference to offences that are "non-recent" signals that detectives are examining allegations spanning earlier periods of the man's life. The Met has not specified a timeline for the investigation, named charges or indicated whether any arrest is anticipated.

Walliams denies all allegations reported to date. The investigation by the Metropolitan Police remains ongoing, and no charges have been brought.