Jonathan Ross 2004 joke about David Walliams and 15-year-old resurfaces in documentary

A 2004 joke by Jonathan Ross resurfaced in ITV documentary, linking the comedian to a wave of allegations that have dragged David Walliams into the spotlight, sparking calls for accountability.

From a 2004 punchline to a 2026 storm

At the 2004 National Comedy Awards, Ross opened the show with a one‑liner about Walliams and 15‑year‑olds. The clip, now part of ITV News’ documentary on Walliams’ alleged predatory behaviour, shows the former Little Britain star laughing and sticking two fingers up at Ross.

Media additions

That joke was never written by Ross. The Daily Star reports that Ross, through his lawyers, said he had only read the line. The script had been supplied by the awards’ writing team, who claimed it was a “tasteless joke” and that Ross had no reason to suspect it referred to real events.

The Guardian‑ITV investigation

In early November, a joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News exposed a pattern of grooming and sexual assault allegations that span more than two decades. The report includes accounts from women who say Walliams used his fame to contact them when they were 15, 18 or 20, offering gifts, alcohol or sexual advances.

One claimant, “Jade”, described a 2003 encounter that began with a coffee meeting and ended in an alleged assault. Another, “Alex”, said Walliams first contacted her at a Little Britain fan event when she was 15 and later had a sexual relationship. The investigation also covers alleged harassment of Britain’s Got Talent contestants and staff, and claims that Walliams pressured a HarperCollins junior employee into a sexual relationship.

Walliams’ response

Walliams has denied all wrongdoing. In a letter to the journalists, he said:

“Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with. I realise I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account. That is something I regret. And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did. I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met ten to twenty years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.”

The Guardian, ITV News

Ross’ statement and the wider cultural reckoning

Ross, who has worked with both Walliams and Russell Brand, issued a public apology through a statement. He said:

“I am as horrified by the revelations about David Walliams and the crimes of Russell Brand as the rest of the nation. 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. My thoughts are with the many, many women who have bravely come forward.”

AOL, Mirror

He added that the joke was “submitted to me by the Comedy Awards script writing team” and that he would have refused to use it had he suspected it referred to real misconduct. Ross also said he would have “acted upon that knowledge” if he had known more.

What to watch next

The ITV documentary “David Walliams: Power and Silence” airs on ITVX and ITV1 tonight, offering a deeper look at the allegations and the broader culture of sexual misconduct in British media.