The BBC has removed the 2012 film adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s children’s book Room On The Broom from iPlayer featuring David Walliams, who faces allegations of sexual misconduct…
The BBC has pulled its animated adaptation of Room On The Broom, featuring David Walliams, from iPlayer as it continues to review programmes involving the comedian.
The 2012 film, based on Julia Donaldson’s much-loved children’s book, saw Walliams voice a frog alongside Gillian Anderson as the witch and Simon Pegg as the narrator.
His removal comes after the 55-year-old was named in reports by The Guardian and ITV News on Tuesday concerning alleged sexual misconduct. One woman described an alleged encounter with Walliams when she was 15 as sexual assault, while several others accused him of grooming them during their teenage years. Walliams denies any wrongdoing.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that it had received a number of non-recent allegations of serious sexual offences against him in recent days.
Earlier this week, the BBC said it was examining all material featuring or written by Walliams on its platforms, with some programmes already being taken down.
A spokesperson said: “These are serious allegations. As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring or written by David Walliams on our platforms. We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, whilst this review is under way.”
The decision means Room On The Broom is the latest title to disappear from the streaming service. Walliams has only a small speaking role in the half-hour film, with his frog character delivering three lines and a series of ribbits.
Other BBC programmes featuring the comedian have also been removed, including Little Britain, which he created with Matt Lucas and starred in between 2003 and 2006. Their follow-up series, Come Fly With Me, is also unavailable, alongside a 2020 episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring Walliams.
Screen adaptations of his children’s books, including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have also been taken off iPlayer. The BBC is not the only broadcaster to have taken action. Channel 4 has removed episodes of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and the 2021 special Chitty Flies Again from its streaming service.
Sky has also removed content featuring Walliams and confirmed it would no longer distribute the upcoming film Fing!, based on his 2019 children’s book.
A spokesperson said the allegations were “extremely serious” and that the company had informed the film’s producers of its intention to withdraw as the UK and Ireland licensee.
Angel Studios, which is releasing the film in the US, has confirmed that Walliams’ cameo will be cut and he will not be involved in promotional activity.
Walliams has not publicly responded to the reports published by The Guardian and ITV News. However, in a letter understood to have been sent to journalists several months ago, he denied being a “sexual predator”.
He acknowledged that he had sometimes behaved “thoughtlessly” and regretted not properly considering other people’s feelings, but maintained that he had not broken the law. In a statement, David said he was “devastated” by the claims. He added: “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.”
The reports followed an unsuccessful attempt by Walliams to secure an injunction preventing the media from identifying him. His literary agency, Independent Talent Group, also dropped him following the reports.
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