Woman alleges David Walliams groomed her as teenager

Lilly Creightmore has stated she is “angry” about the behaviour of comedian David Walliams, whom she alleges groomed her as a teenager. Ms Creightmore, who was 18 when Walliams first contacted her, claims he saw her at a show in a London store. She is among several women who have spoken to journalists about alleged sexual misconduct by Walliams.

Walliams denies all allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. In a statement, he said he did not always take people's feelings properly into account, which he regrets. He added that while a power imbalance is inevitable due to his fame, he never abused that power and is not a sexual predator.

Allegations of pressure and manipulation

Ms Creightmore told BBC Newsnight that Walliams contacted her after seeing her at a show. She stated that they agreed to meet, and she informed him she was not interested in a romantic relationship. Despite this, she claims Walliams offered her a place to live with him as a flatmate about a month after they first met.

She further alleges that she felt pressured to share a bed with him. Ms Creightmore described evenings where Walliams would sit with her, stroke her leg, and ask if she would sleep in his bed. She told Newsnight that she felt manipulated, stating, “I had an inner strength like, ‘no I am not attracted to you in that way’.”

Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire, Ms Creightmore expressed her anger and called for an end to a culture where older men in positions of power abuse their authority and young people. Walliams has stated he did not act inappropriately or target Ms Creightmore because she was vulnerable or young. He believes their friendship was a "special one" and is devastated by her account.

Walliams denies that any offers of help or gifts were attempts to groom, manipulate, or coerce her into sleeping with him. He stated he is devastated that some women he met 10 to 20 years ago have expressed hurt or anger towards him.