David Walliams has publicly asserted that "not a single person" ever raised objections to a highly controversial on-stage routine from his Little Britain days, despite compelling evidence to the contrary emerging from a BBC documentary. The comedian, who recently faced professional repercussions over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, made these claims during an interview, defending the sketch that involved humiliating audience participants.
The Controversial Stage Act
The problematic performance formed part of the Little Britain stage show during the 2000s, where Walliams portrayed a predatory children's entertainer named Des Kaye. During these live performances, Walliams would target young male volunteers from the audience for a game he called "hide the sausage." The routine involved physically pulling down the participants' trousers and underwear, simulating sexual acts, and appearing to grope them while kissing their buttocks. This provocative material was performed before packed theatres across the United Kingdom and Australia during an extensive tour.
Walliams' Defence of the Material
When recently questioned by an Australian journalist about the sketch's appropriateness, Walliams mounted a vigorous defence of his past work. He emphasised that the routine "always brought the house down" during approximately 250 performances and insisted that no audience members ever formally complained. The comedian attributed any contemporary criticism to viewing the material out of context, suggesting that those present at the original shows would have found the act humorous rather than offensive.
"It was a different time," Walliams argued during his interview last February. "It's about context. If you're the sort of person who wants to get annoyed about something 20 years ago..." This perspective represents his attempt to contextualise material that many now view as crossing ethical boundaries in comedy performance.
Documentary Evidence Contradicts Claims
However, footage from a BBC documentary titled Little Britain Down Under directly contradicts Walliams' assertion that nobody objected to the sketch. The documentary, which followed the comedy duo's Australian tour in 2007 and was narrated by comedian Rob Brydon, captured Walliams reading aloud a complaint letter from a sexual abuse survivor.
In the revealing clip, Walliams reads: "I was shocked, dismayed and disappointed by the character Des Kaye." The letter writer specifically criticised how the sketch presented "molestation of the boy" as "a great joke," adding: "For me this was not a joke, for me this went too far. I was molested when I was very young."
The correspondent further expressed concern that such material could "give further licence to those perpetrators to think that molestation of boys, girls or adults is alright." Despite reading this heartfelt complaint on camera, Walliams maintained in the documentary that "there are no subjects you can't make jokes out of because if you make that line you have to get rid of all comedy."
Co-Star's Account Adds Further Context
Walliams' Little Britain partner Matt Lucas provided additional context that challenges the comedian's narrative about universal audience acceptance. In his 2017 autobiography, Lucas revealed that some participants reacted violently to the on-stage humiliation, with Walliams occasionally receiving physical retaliation for his actions.
"You could never get away with that today," Lucas wrote regarding the controversial routine. "In fact he didn't always get away with it then. Sometimes David would get a clout for his troubles and I'd see him in the wings afterwards, nursing a sore ear." This account suggests that not all audience members found the material acceptable even at the time of performance.
Broader Pattern of Controversy
This revelation about the Little Britain sketch forms part of a wider pattern of controversy surrounding Walliams' professional conduct. Last month, publisher HarperCollins severed ties with the children's author following allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour toward junior female staff members. Former employees reported being advised to work in pairs when interacting with Walliams and to avoid visiting his home due to concerns about his conduct.
A spokesperson for Walliams has denied any wrongdoing regarding these workplace allegations, stating: "David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice."
This professional setback follows Walliams' departure from Britain's Got Talent after leaked recordings revealed he had made derogatory sexual comments about female contestants during auditions. In 2022, transcripts showed he referred to one contestant with a vulgar term and made inappropriate remarks about another. Walliams apologised when these comments became public, acknowledging they were "disrespectful" but maintaining they were part of a private conversation never intended for public consumption.
Additionally, last year saw Walliams dropped as an ambassador for The Children's Trust charity, further indicating the widening professional consequences he faces following multiple allegations and controversies. The discrepancy between his public claims about the Little Britain sketch and the documentary evidence raises significant questions about accountability and the evolving standards for comedic material in the entertainment industry.
