Timeline of David Walliams' injunction bid over reporting of allegations

The famous man who failed to get a High Court injunction against two media organisations to prevent them from reporting allegations against him can now be named as David Walliams.

The comedian and former Britain’s Got Talent judge, previously described as a “well-known man”, brought legal action against Independent Television News (ITN), which produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4, Good Morning Britain and Channel 5, and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publisher of The Guardian.

Lawyers for the media organisations previously told the High Court in London the allegations they want to report involve his alleged “abuse of power and status” to contact young women and try to engage in “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities”, but the man sought an injunction because of a risk he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts.

Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the injunction bid on 3 November, but ruled that the man could take his case to the Court of Appeal.

The Guardian has now published an investigation the day after the appeal deadline passed. Walliams has denied any wrongdoing.

Here, we look at the series of events leading up to the ruling.

Early 2022

A reporter forThe Guardian is told about allegations against Walliams, including from two confidential sources, according to GNM and ITN’s lawyers.

May 2022

GNM approaches Walliams about “allegations of inappropriate conduct”, which are denied and do not lead to a published article, Mr Justice Nicklin said in his judgment.

April 2023

The Guardian and ITN agree to work together on an investigation into Walliams.

18 May, 2026

The two media organisations send letters to Walliams, asking him to comment on the allegations in the joint probe. After receiving these letters, he attempted suicide.

He was later admitted to a private psychiatric hospital as a voluntary patient.

Summer 2026

Walliams absconds from the private hospital and attempts suicide again.

Later in the summer he is detained under the Mental Health Act for assessment, and later transferred to an NHS hospital for treatment.

10 September

Walliams is discharged from the NHS hospital after it is deemed that continued detention under the Mental Health Act is not necessary.

16 October

A preliminary hearing takes place at the High Court in London ahead of an expedited trial. Walliams was previously granted anonymity.

22 October

Walliams is detained under the Mental Health Act for assessment again and transferred to an NHS hospital.

27 October

A two-day trial in London takes place.

3 November

Mr Justice Nicklin dismisses the bid for an injunction and grants permission to appeal.

9 November

Walliams was set a deadline of 9 November at 4.30pm to lodge an appeal against the ruling. The person’s identity had to remain out of the public domain pending a potential appeal.

He failed to lodge an appeal.

10 November

The Guardian published an investigation the day after the appeal deadline passed. ITV released their documentary on its YouTube channel before it is due to be broadcast on ITV1.

In a letter addressed to journalists working on this investigation, Walliams wrote: “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.

“And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did.”

He added: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.