Television presenter Jonathan Ross expressed horror over sexual misconduct allegations facing David Walliams and the rape conviction of Russell Brand, stating he was genuinely unaware of their conduct during a period when he was on friendly terms with both men.
The 65-year-old broadcaster issued the remarks following the resurfacing of television footage from the 2004 British Comedy Awards. In that broadcast, Ross delivered a joke about Walliams leaving with a 15-year-old, a quip he now calls tasteless.
Walliams, 55, was named in a joint investigation published by The Guardian and ITV News after a failed legal bid to obtain an injunction. The best-selling author and former Britain’s Got Talent judge faces multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and grooming teenagers.
Jonathan Ross says 'I am horrified' in statement on David Walliams and Russell Brand pic.twitter.com/OLcCp8hgQl
Walliams denies all allegations against him. His legal representation stated in court that the author has no intention of returning to public life.
Meanwhile, Russell Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10-and-a-half years in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
Ross addressed both his past association with Brand and the controversial 2004 comedy script. He stated that the awards show joke was provided by the writing team and that he interpreted it as an exaggeration of Walliams’ public dating history.
“I am as horrified by the revelations about David Walliams and the crimes of Russell Brand as the rest of the nation,” Ross said in a statement to the Press Association. “There was a time in my life when I was on friendly terms with both men, and during that period I was genuinely unaware of their conduct.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the allegations against Walliams as the “latest in a long line of reported abuses of power” in the media. The Metropolitan Police have since contacted the media organizations behind the investigation to ensure potential victims know how to report criminal allegations.
David Walliams has, finally, been named as the celebrity about whom sordid allegations have been circulating for decades. I delved into his downfall for @spectator https://t.co/CkTt4Hg4sM
David Walliams has been revealed as the anonymous celebrity who fought to conceal his identity amid sexual misconduct allegations, with his lawyers arguing the claims going public could put him at risk of suicide. Allegations include grooming teenage girls as young as 15 and… pic.twitter.com/U0PLmZsZFS
The @itvnews investigation which David Walliams tried to stop in the courts. Watch here 👇 https://t.co/jvXQEwPPQW
Many have been asking for a link to my interview with comedian Lucy Beaumont about the #Walliams allegations (which he denies). Here it is:https://t.co/dF0vrnb76i
