David Walliams' childhood nickname, 'Daphne', and a remark about his public persona being a 'smokescreen' have resurfaced as the comedian faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls and young women.
The 55-year-old former Britain's Got Talent judge, who was reportedly bullied at school because of his effeminate manner, built a successful career around outrageous characters and provocative humour.
Now, following a three-year investigation, his past comments and experiences are attracting renewed attention as he faces allegations that he strongly denies.
From 'Daphne' To One Of Britain's Biggest Comedy Stars
According to reports, Walliams was given the nickname 'Daphne' by schoolmates because of his effeminate manner, making him a target for teasing during his childhood. He later discovered that humour could change how people treated him and help him cope with the bullying. The experience became part of the background to the larger-than-life personality that would eventually make him a household name.
A remark about using a 'smokescreen' has also resurfaced. During a 2006 appearance on The Russell Brand Show, Walliams exchanged jokes with his Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas and Russell Brand about their public personas and the idea of pretending to be gay as a cover. The conversation included Lucas describing them as 'the two gayest straight blokes there are'.
Walliams responded: 'Isn't it a wonderful smokescreen?'
The remark was made during a humorous exchange about their public personas and should not be interpreted as an admission of concealing misconduct. Nevertheless, it has attracted renewed attention amid scrutiny of the comedian's public image and the allegations concerning his private and professional behaviour.
Before achieving television fame, Walliams worked as a comedy writer for presenting duo Ant and Dec. He subsequently became a household name alongside Lucas through the BBC sketch show Little Britain, which relied heavily on outrageous characters and shock-value humour.
His former wife, Dutch model Lara Stone, once described him as 'a bit mean, in a good way'. Walliams also previously declared: 'I love cruelty, it's my favourite thing in the world.'
The comedian has spoken publicly about experiencing depression during his childhood and attempting to take his own life at a scout camp when he was 12.
Past Controversies Resurface
Several incidents from Walliams' television and stage career have also attracted renewed scrutiny. During a 2007 Australian tour, he reportedly pulled down the trousers of a 16-year-old boy during a comedy sketch. Separately, resurfaced footage of a Little Britain stage performance showed him inviting three volunteers aged between 16 and 18 to participate in a game called 'Hide The Sausage'.
The precise relationship between the two accounts should not be assumed without confirmation that they refer to different performances.
In 2011, Walliams attracted criticism after making a sexual remark about One Direction singer Harry Styles, who was 17 at the time, on Channel 4's Chris Moyles' Quiz Night.
Separately, Walliams left Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after leaked recordings revealed derogatory comments he had made about contestants during breaks in filming in 2020. He apologised for the disrespectful remarks.
The latest allegations emerged following a three-year investigation, which heard from 30 sources with first-hand accounts. Several women alleged that Walliams used his celebrity status to pursue them when they were teenagers or young women. Two women said they first met the comedian when they were 15, with one alleging that he sexually assaulted her at that age, while the other said their sexual relationship began when she was 17.
Walliams denies the allegations, including claims of sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behaviour. In a statement responding to the allegations, he said: 'I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law.'
He also expressed regret that some former casual sexual partners had felt hurt or angry, saying he had not always considered their feelings. However, he maintained that he had not abused his position. His response should be considered separately from the allegations made by the women interviewed during the investigation.
In December 2025, HarperCollins UK decided not to publish new titles by the bestselling author, reportedly following an internal investigation into complaints involving junior female employees. Walliams' spokesperson said he had not been informed of allegations raised with the publisher and strongly denied inappropriate behaviour.
The publisher's earlier decision has since attracted renewed attention following the latest investigation. Walliams also sought a High Court injunction to prevent publication of the investigation, but his application was rejected on 3 November 2026.
