BBC to Air Controversial David Walliams Episode on Boxing Day

The BBC has confirmed plans to air a repeat of the 2024 Would I Lie To You Christmas special featuring David Walliams on Boxing Day, despite recent controversies surrounding the comedian. The decision comes as Walliams faces allegations of inappropriate behaviour, leading to his removal from the publishing house HarperCollins.

Walliams, aged 58, has been at the centre of scrutiny following claims that he harassed junior female employees. He has categorically denied these allegations and expressed his intent to seek legal advice. In a statement to The Telegraph, HarperCollins confirmed his dismissal, emphasizing their commitment to employee wellbeing and the importance of addressing concerns seriously.

The allegations against Walliams are not new. In 2022, he was removed from his role on Britain’s Got Talent after leaked recordings revealed him making derogatory remarks about contestants. This incident followed another controversy from the previous year, when he was filmed making two Nazi salutes during a taping of the same Christmas special. The BBC publicly apologized for his conduct, stating that the offensive gestures would not be aired.

Despite these issues, the BBC plans to broadcast the repeat of Walliams’ Christmas special at 19:00 GMT on December 26, 2024. A spokesperson for the BBC stated, “While we’re not making any changes to the festive schedules, we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams.”

Walliams has had a prolific career as an author, publishing over 40 children’s books since embarking on his writing journey in 2008. His works, including the popular title Gangsta Granny, have earned him a significant following. Nonetheless, his career has been marred by controversies, particularly related to his previous sketch series, Little Britain, which faced backlash for its portrayal of race and gender.

In discussing the ramifications of cancel culture in light of his recent controversies, Walliams described the situation as “exhausting.” In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, he reflected on the nature of comedy, suggesting that humor often exists on the edge of acceptability. He stated, “If you were worried about every single thing you said or did might offend someone, you wouldn’t be able to say or do anything on stage.”

The upcoming airing of the Christmas special has sparked debates about the implications of Walliams’ past actions and the BBC’s decision to continue featuring him. As public sentiment continues to evolve regarding issues of representation and sensitivity in the entertainment industry, the airing of this episode may serve as a litmus test for audience reactions.

Metro has reached out to the BBC for further comments regarding the airing and any additional plans involving David Walliams.