LONDON — British law enforcement has opened a formal inquiry into veteran children's author and media personality David Walliams following serious accusations of historical sexual misconduct.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that detectives are actively reviewing a significant volume of information concerning the 55-year-old entertainer. The police action follows an investigative joint report published by ITV and The Guardian, which detailed accounts from multiple individuals. One accuser alleged she experienced sexual assault at Walliams's London residence as a fifteen-year-old minor, while others voiced concerns that they were groomed by the author during their adolescence.

Through representatives, Walliams issued a statement acknowledging past poor judgment regarding casual relationships, while firmly denying any criminal behavior, illegal acts, or exploitation.

Walliams rose to international fame as a prolific writer of bestselling, humorous children's literature, with total sales surpassing sixty million copies globally. Beyond his literary success, he co-created and starred in the hit British Broadcasting Corporation comedy series Little Britain and spent a decade as a panel judge on the popular competition series Britain's Got Talent before departing in late 2022.

The fallout from the investigation has quickly impacted Walliams's professional standing across the entertainment and publishing sectors. Producers of film projects adapted from his novels announced the removal of his cameo scenes and excluded him from all promotional campaigns. Educational institutions across regions have begun withdrawing his books from school libraries, following earlier moves by publisher HarperCollins, which ended its professional association with the author last year citing concerns over workplace conduct.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]