David Walliams Being Investigated By Police

London police have launched an investigation into David Walliams.

A Metropolitan Police statement said the force had “received a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences involving a man now in his 50s,” and that these allegations are distinct from those reported by ITV News and The Guardian on Tuesday. “However, as part of their investigation, detectives are also proactively reviewing that reporting to establish whether there is any evidence of offences,” added the police.

Per UK law, the Met Police did not name Walliams, but he has been confirmed in reports.

Tuesday’s article and documentary, which Walliams tried to block via the courts, carried allegations of sexually exploitative activity against Walliams towards young women and girls. The women accuse Walliams of using his celebrity to prey on teenagers as young as 15, making contact with them through work, including on Britain’s Got Talent, to pursue them for sexual purposes. After the publications, Britain’s Got Talent producer Fremantle urged people to come forward.

Deadline has contacted Walliams’ legal representatives for comment. In a statement to ITV News, Walliams denied all allegations against him. When trying to prevent publication, Walliams’ lawyers revealed that he had made two attempts to take his life because of the allegations.

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