The BBC is under fire for airing a Boxing Day episode of the comedy panel show *Would I Lie To You?* featuring comedian and author David Walliams. This episode was broadcast on BBC One despite serious allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Walliams, who is facing claims of harassment from former female staff members.
Walliams, 54, has been dropped by publisher HarperCollins following these allegations. He has denied the accusations, which surfaced in 2025, and maintains his innocence. The episode, which aired at 19:00 GMT on December 26, was recorded earlier in the summer, before the allegations became public. In a statement released last week, the BBC confirmed it would not remove the episode from its schedule but noted that there are “no future projects directly involving David Walliams.”
In addition to his removal from BBC projects, Walliams has lost his role as an ambassador for The Children’s Trust and has been excluded from the lineup for the Waterstones’ Children’s Book Festival.
The episode included notable guests such as Helen George, Swarzy Shire, and Jools Holland, with team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack, alongside host Rob Brydon. During the filming of the episode in June, Walliams sparked controversy when he was seen making a Nazi salute as part of a joke. The incident occurred during a segment where George recounted a story about injuring her wrist while waving. The BBC subsequently issued an apology, describing Walliams’ actions as “completely unacceptable.”
Fellow panellists expressed shock at the incident, which took place at Pinewood Studios. As the backlash continues, the BBC is navigating a challenging landscape of public opinion regarding its decision to air the episode featuring Walliams amid ongoing scrutiny.
The broadcaster’s choice has raised questions about accountability and the standards expected of public figures, particularly in light of recent allegations. As the situation unfolds, the implications for Walliams and the BBC remain to be seen.
