A famous man in the United Kingdom who tried to get an injunction to prevent the reporting of allegations against him has been identified as David Walliams.

The 55-year-old comedian and children’s book author brought legal action against broadcaster ITN and GNM, publisher of The Guardian, ahead of the two organisations reporting allegations against him.

The claims included sexual misconduct and potential criminal activity.

Walliams on Tuesday denied abusing his power as a celebrity in relationships with women but said he realised he had “behaved thoughtlessly”.

“Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with … I realise I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account. That is something I regret,” he said in a statement to the Guardian and ITV News.

“I am not a sexual predator … I have not broken the law… I am devastated that some of the women I met ten to twenty years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.”

Lawyers for the media organisations previously told the High Court in London the allegations involved Walliams’ alleged “abuse of power and status” to contact young women and try to engage in “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities”.

Walliams denied the claims and unsuccessfully sought an injunction to prevent the media reports, with his lawyers arguing there was a risk he would take his own life after two previous attempts.

The author was granted anonymity during the proceedings, which was lifted after his injunction bid was dismissed and GNM and ITN published their investigations on Tuesday.

During a two-day trial in October, the court was told by the media organisations’ lawyers that the allegations were gathered after “a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation” and that there was a “strong” public interest in publishing them.

Gavin Millar KC said reporters from the two organisations had spoken to more than 100 people, including more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts as well as Walliams’ friends and colleagues.

Walliams’ lawyers said he had initially attempted to take his own life after receiving letters from ITN and GNM asking for his reply to the allegations because of “long-term trauma and the fear of trial by media”.

Sara Mansoori KC, for Walliams, said in written submissions the author “has no intention of returning to public life” and had not “spuriously raised ‘mental health’ concerns in the face of an impending publication that they do not wish to occur”.

Refused the bid for an injunction, the judge ruled it would be an “exceptionally serious interference” with freedom of expression.

In the 52-page judgment, he also said granting the injunction would not treat the man’s psychiatric condition or eliminate his elevated risk.

Hospitals and health staff caring for Walliams, who was detained under the Mental Health Act in October, meant the state had “assumed responsibility” for his immediate safety and could “provide significant protection,” which “materially reduces the likelihood of suicide”, the judge continued.

Walliams is known for comedy shows including Come Fly With Me and Little Britain, and has sold more than 60 million copies of his children’s books globally.

They include The Boy In The Dress, Fing and Gangsta Granny, the latter of which was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.

Walliams’ publisher HarperCollins dropped him in December 2025 after an investigation into allegations he had “harassed” young women, which Walliams strongly denied.

Earlier this month, UK theme park Alton Towers permanently closed its World Of David Walliams attraction, which featured rides inspired by the books.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

-AAP