Film featuring Matt Lucas dropped in UK after sexual misconduct allegations against David Walliams
David Walliams has denied allegations made about him (Getty Images)
Sky has pulled out as the UK and Ireland licensee for Fing!, while the film’s producers say David Walliams’ cameo has been removed and he will have “no involvement” in the release or promotion.
A Sky spokesperson told Variety: “The allegations made against David Walliams are extremely serious.” They added: “We have notified the producers of the film of our intention to exit our position as the UK & Ireland licensee of Fing!. We have already removed content which features him from our platforms.”
The Fing! producers said: “We have removed his cameo appearance from Fing!, and he will have no involvement in the film’s release or promotion.”
Why has Sky dropped Fing!?
The decision follows a three-year joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian, which reported allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 2003, including claims involving teenagers as young as 15.
Walliams, 55, has denied the allegations. He said: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,” and said he regretted behaving “thoughtlessly” in some past relationships.
The former Britain’s Got Talent judge was named publicly, after a failed High Court battle to get an injunction which would have stopped the joint investigation from being published.
In September, HarperCollins confirmed it had dropped David Walliams’s backlist and would gradually phase out remaining copies of his books, including e-book and audio editions, after previously deciding it would not publish any new titles by him.
What does it mean for the film’s release?
Fing! is a live-action family fantasy adaptation of Walliams’ 2019 children’s book. Walliams co-wrote the screenplay and had filmed a cameo.
The cast includes Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska and Iona Bell, with Walliams’ Little Britain collaborator Matt Lucas voicing the title creature.
The film will still get a US release with Angel Studios, with a release date set for 14 January, 2027.
