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Original poster

Has David Walliams finally wrecked what was left of his career?

316 replies

itsnotabouthepasta · 12/06/2025 11:32

He was part of the taping of the xmas special of WILTY yesterday and did a Nazi salute twice, as "comedy"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg59q1xgv8o

At least the show immediately told him that it was utterly unacceptable and the BBC and production have also condemed him immediately, rather than this coming to light in a few years time.

Combined with this and also being booted off BGT for the way he spoke to contestants, surely there's no way back for him now on telly?

David Walliams hosts the ZSL London Zoo's annual Safari in the City fundraising gala at London Zoo. Picture date: Wednesday September 20, 2023. P

David Walliams' Nazi salute on Would I Lie To You unacceptable, BBC says

The children's author and comedian made the gestures during a recording of Would I Lie To You?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg59q1xgv8o

OP posts:
ungratefulcat · 12/06/2025 13:13

Genuinely surprised anyone is inviting him to be on the TV any more.

I thought it was pretty common knowledge that that he had a lot of skeletons jammed in his wardrobe

OrangePineapple25 · 12/06/2025 13:10

my kids adore his books!

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 12/06/2025 13:06

BeanQuisine · 12/06/2025 12:21

Article says he "has not appeared on terrestrial television since 2022."

So in the meantime he's appeared on television on other planets?

😂

TaupeMember · 12/06/2025 13:04

Two pp's have stated 1) her friend went on a date with him 2) she's met him and both of these have then stated negative experiences.

How? What happened? This detail would help us drill down to what could be behind a load of generalisations and bad feelings...

ShiningStar3 · 12/06/2025 13:03

I enjoyed Little Britain as a child- no I should not have been watching it as a child- but now I'm an adult with an understanding of the historical implications of blackface (and womanface) not so much..

Cel119 · 12/06/2025 13:00

itsnotabouthepasta · 12/06/2025 11:32

He was part of the taping of the xmas special of WILTY yesterday and did a Nazi salute twice, as "comedy"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg59q1xgv8o

At least the show immediately told him that it was utterly unacceptable and the BBC and production have also condemed him immediately, rather than this coming to light in a few years time.

Combined with this and also being booted off BGT for the way he spoke to contestants, surely there's no way back for him now on telly?

He's a weirdo anyway. Comes across very sexually creepy. Will leave it there as dont want to go into examples.

Bootlebride · 12/06/2025 13:00

MrsTWH · 12/06/2025 12:32

I hope so.

A friend of mine went on a date with him once. Confirmed my opinion of him!

Are you allowed to give us any details..? 😁

Reddog1 · 12/06/2025 12:58

After the incident with Prince Harry’s fancy dress Nazi costume I remember Victoria Coren Mitchell writing an article along the lines that Nazis should be pilloried and derided. I agree with her. I’m happy for anyone to do a piss-take Nazi salute or to dress up like Herr Flick. I disagree with mocking cultures normally though.

Original poster
itsnotabouthepasta · 12/06/2025 12:58

I think we also need to think about the context of humour.

Allo Allo and Fawlty Towers were overtly poking fun at Germany and the war.

This appears to have been in a context of "can you show an exaggerated wave?" - there's literally no reason to bring in a hitler salute in this context.

Quite frankly, seeing whats happening with Musk and Trump, and the current rise in far right politics world wide, I think we do all need to be overly sensitive about anything that could be construed making it acceptable again.

Do I believe Walliams is a Nazi? Absoutely not.
Do I think he's cruel and has a mean streak? Yes. Based on his actions on BGT and the reasons for his firing, and also based on his books.

OP posts:
JasmineAllen · 12/06/2025 12:56

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/06/2025 12:53

@JasmineAllen it’s all Christmas shows being filmed now. Richard Osman said on his podcast on Tuesday that they are filming Xmas House Of Games now

I don't think I've been so surprised since I realised Friends wasn't actually filmed in New York 😅

I hate having to do Christmas stuff outside December. I've had to occasionally for my job and it feels so very wrong.

lifeonmars100 · 12/06/2025 12:56

AhBiscuits · 12/06/2025 12:51

His kids books are truly dreadful. Someone bought one for DD and reading it to her at bedtime was like pulling teeth.

They are grim aren't they? a friend's son was into them and while she was pleased he was reading we used to cringe at the style and content, He is 17 now so all that is in the past

lifeonmars100 · 12/06/2025 12:54

myplace · 12/06/2025 12:24

Actually I’m slightly torn. Can’t stand the man. Gives me the creeps. A lot of his comedy is cruel.

However… comedy does push the boundaries. ‘Allo ‘Allo was full of nazi salutes. I’m not sure this is the thing to cancel him for.

Being an arse to people, yes absolutely.

Allo Allo was a comedy set in the time of the Nazi occupation of France so the occasional Nazi salute is acceptable, just as it is in fllms about WW11.. Just flinging your arm in the air a la Adolph is rightly considered deeply offensive and I think it is a crime in Germany. Context is everything

JasmineAllen · 12/06/2025 12:53

myplace · 12/06/2025 12:37

They chose to make a comedy set during WW2, with comic incompetent and cross dressing nazis, relying massively on stereotypes for the humour. And misogyny- fallen Madonna with the big boobies, anyone?

It was fabulous, fantastic, and totally outrageous by today’s standards.

Show quote history

Can you imagine if Allo Allo was made now. There would be so much hand wringing I think some people would lose all capacity 😂

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/06/2025 12:53

@JasmineAllen it’s all Christmas shows being filmed now. Richard Osman said on his podcast on Tuesday that they are filming Xmas House Of Games now

AhBiscuits · 12/06/2025 12:51

His kids books are truly dreadful. Someone bought one for DD and reading it to her at bedtime was like pulling teeth.

JasmineAllen · 12/06/2025 12:50

I know this is completely missing the point, but the Xmas special of WILTY is filmed in June !!!!! 🤯
I mean I knew it wasn't live but for some reason I thought it would be filmed in a bit closer to Xmas like in November 😂😂

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/06/2025 12:46

There was quite a long thread recently about how creepy he is. I can’t find it on search though.

AmandaHoldensLips · 12/06/2025 12:40

I’ve met him. What a thoroughly odious man.

PeonyPanda · 12/06/2025 12:39

Oh no ! I love WILTY but cannot stand DW. That’s one episode I’ll not watch. He’s vile.

GasperyJacquesRoberts · 12/06/2025 12:39

Lambourn16 · 12/06/2025 12:28

Little Britain was a fantastic comedy programme ruined by dull, humourless virtue signallers.

A world without comedy is somewhat drab however that is unfortunately what some prefer.

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Some of Little Britain was fabulous. A lot of it was derivative and cheap. Way too much relied on "Look at the funny outfits!" schtick combined with tragically overused catchphrases.

Persephoknee · 12/06/2025 12:38

Can we start cancelling people for being unfunny, now? A period of quality assessment is surely due. It shouldn’t be that our screens are dominated by all the safe options, regardless of their talent levels.

SandandSky · 12/06/2025 12:38

I took my DC to one of his book signing events and he was actually really chatty, warm, witty. Made time for every child and my DC had a lovely conversation with him. I went because my DC really wanted to and was pleasantly surprised.

I know people are multi faceted but it’s so frustrating to see people being utterly shit and then really nice! Just be consistent so I can make my mind up please 😂

myplace · 12/06/2025 12:37

Nopenott0day · 12/06/2025 12:28

Allo Allo was set during WW 2 though. Slightly different

Show quote history

They chose to make a comedy set during WW2, with comic incompetent and cross dressing nazis, relying massively on stereotypes for the humour. And misogyny- fallen Madonna with the big boobies, anyone?

It was fabulous, fantastic, and totally outrageous by today’s standards.

JazzyBBBG · 12/06/2025 12:36

He's so creepy. I think there's a lot more to come on him.

Ficklebricks · 12/06/2025 12:35

What was the context? Was he doing an Elon Musk impression?