British television presenter Jonathan Ross stated on Tuesday, 11 November 2026, that he is horrified by allegations of sexual misconduct against David Walliams and the rape conviction of Russell Brand. In a public statement, Ross acknowledged he was once on friendly terms with both men but maintained he was genuinely unaware of their conduct at the time.
The response follows a joint three-year investigation published on Tuesday by the Guardian and ITV News, in which several women accused Walliams of using his celebrity status and power to prey on teenagers and young women. Walliams, who denies all wrongdoing and states he is not a sexual predator, unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the publication through a legal injunction. Following the revelations, Downing Street described the claims as deeply troubling, and Walliams's Labour Party membership has been suspended.
Ross also addressed a controversial joke he delivered at the British Comedy Awards in 2004, which featured a punchline suggesting Walliams was going home with a 15-year-old. Describing the quip as tasteless, Ross explained that the scriptwriting team submitted the material and he believed the reference exaggerated Walliams's publicly known dating habits for comic effect. He added that had he suspected any relation to actual events, he would have refused to participate or maintain a relationship with him.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the allegations as the latest in a series of reported power abuses within the media industry. Nandy announced plans to meet with senior media and entertainment figures to establish stricter measures against harassment and abuse, noting that the events highlight ongoing reliance on whistleblowers and journalists. In response to the claims, several organizations have severed ties or reviewed projects involving Walliams, including his literary agency, Fremantle UK, Sky, and the BBC.