British television presenter Jonathan Ross has admitted that a controversial joke he made about comedian David Walliams and a 15-year-old girl was tasteless, as fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against Walliams reignite scrutiny of power relations and the treatment of women in the entertainment industry.
Ross, who acknowledged having previously maintained friendly relationships with both Walliams and Russell Brand, said he had been unaware of their alleged conduct at the time.
In a statement reported by the BBC, the television host said he was horrified by the allegations against Walliams and Brand’s criminal conviction, expressing sympathy for the women who had come forward with accounts of alleged abuse.
“My thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward,” he said.
Ross also addressed a joke he delivered at a comedy awards ceremony in 2004, whose punchline suggested that Walliams would be going home with a 15-year-old girl.
Describing the joke as tasteless, Ross said it had been supplied by the awards’ scriptwriting team and that he understood it as a comic reference to Walliams’ publicly reported relationships with younger women.
He maintained that he would have refused to deliver it had he suspected it referred to actual events.
The statement follows reports by ITV News and The Guardian alleging that several women had accused Walliams of sexual misconduct, including claims of inappropriate behaviour towards teenage girls and young women.
Walliams has denied the allegations, insisting that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law. He also acknowledged that he had sometimes behaved thoughtlessly towards women with whom he had casual sexual relationships and regretted not always considering their feelings.
The allegations have prompted renewed questions about the entertainment industry’s ability to protect young workers and respond to complaints against influential personalities.
Britain’s Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, described the allegations as the latest in a series of reported abuses of power in an industry characterised by significant inequalities in authority.
She argued that women must be protected in their workplaces, whistleblowers encouraged to speak out and individuals accused of abusing their positions prevented from using their influence to avoid scrutiny.
Nandy also cited Brand’s conviction as evidence of the heavy burden placed on victims who come forward, often at considerable personal cost and with uncertainty about whether they will be believed.
Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The Metropolitan Police has subsequently confirmed that several people have approached the force with information concerning the entertainer since his conviction.
Meanwhile, the BBC has described the allegations against Walliams as serious and removed the comedy series Little Britain, which helped establish his popularity alongside Matt Lucas, from its iPlayer streaming platform.
The Metropolitan Police said it had contacted ITV News and The Guardian to ensure that potential victims knew how to report any suspected criminal offences, adding that any complaints received would be carefully assessed.
A television agent, Dermot McNamara, also told BBC Newsnight that he had previously raised concerns about Walliams’ alleged inappropriate behaviour with relevant authorities and broadcasters but that no action had been taken.
Comedian Lucy Beaumont separately told Sky News that a young television worker had approached her with concerns about Walliams’ alleged interactions with young female workers, raising questions about the industry’s reporting and safeguarding arrangements.
Walliams became widely known through Little Britain, later serving as a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and establishing a successful career as a children’s author.
The latest controversy has placed renewed attention on the responsibility of television networks, talent agencies and industry executives to provide effective safeguards for young people working in entertainment.
