Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
JasmineAllen · 12/06/2025 18:11

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:20

She wasn’t racist. She made a factual observation about race and power.

She said the royal family was 'terribly white'. That does sound quite racist

Deadringer · 12/06/2025 18:11

And his books are very poor rip offs of Roald Dahl imo.

Deadringer · 12/06/2025 18:10

God little Britain was awful. An old woman pissing herself, the only gay in the village, vomiting racist woman, to name a few, same fucking tired nasty jokes every single episode.

JasmineAllen · 12/06/2025 18:09

BigFatLiar · 12/06/2025 17:09

A lot of old comedy shows wouldn't be made these days. Who'd make 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum' or 'Mind Your Language' or 'Love Thy Neighbour', some are still shown on the lesser channels. Some still funny some not.

"Lesser channels" Hmm

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:56

OldMcDonaldHadABigMac · 12/06/2025 17:51

I doubt he cares, he's made his money. Hence why he's probably so overtly odious.

He made his money, yes—but we don’t know how he feels.

To be honest, I think being in the public eye is quite daunting. People speculating on every word or action must be something else.

Comment sections are a nightmare.

OldMcDonaldHadABigMac · 12/06/2025 17:51

I doubt he cares, he's made his money. Hence why he's probably so overtly odious.

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:46

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:42

You can avoid using offensive gestures just to get attention though. Whateve4 your type of humour

I use the wanking gesture 😂

I’m sure there are those that wouldn’t love my humour. That’s okay. There are people that do.

I’m sure that David is having many conversations about what happened. We’re just speculating on these news reports.

Good PR for this Christmas episode!

Uricon2 · 12/06/2025 17:43

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:19

Comedy is supposed to be funny. Yes, context is important. Which is why a context free Nazi salute isn’t funny.

And IMO why the Fawlty Towers "Don't mention the war" sketch still is. Basil making a prat of himself as usual (he was the real butt of all the jokes) and his long gangly legs goosestepping was comedy gold, far funnier than anything I've ever seen DW come up with.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:42

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:41

That’s okay if you don’t like Ricky or Jimmy. There are other comedians for you.

You cannot please everyone.

You can avoid using offensive gestures just to get attention though. Whateve4 your type of humour

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:41

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:34

I don’t like either of them - too self important to be funny. A Nazi joke, mocking Nazis is fine though. This wasn’t that.

That’s okay if you don’t like Ricky or Jimmy. There are other comedians for you.

You cannot please everyone.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:34

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:23

There shouldn't be limits on comedy, and the context was about hand gestures that slowly morphed into a Nazi salute. No one has actually seen it, only referencing what has been reported on.

Heaven forbid you watch a Jimmy Carr or Ricky Gervais show they have lots of Nazi jokes.

Being edgy is a valid form of comedy.

I don’t like either of them - too self important to be funny. A Nazi joke, mocking Nazis is fine though. This wasn’t that.

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:27

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:23

There shouldn't be limits on comedy, and the context was about hand gestures that slowly morphed into a Nazi salute. No one has actually seen it, only referencing what has been reported on.

Heaven forbid you watch a Jimmy Carr or Ricky Gervais show they have lots of Nazi jokes.

Being edgy is a valid form of comedy.

Love Jimmy and Ricky too.

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:23

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:19

Comedy is supposed to be funny. Yes, context is important. Which is why a context free Nazi salute isn’t funny.

There shouldn't be limits on comedy, and the context was about hand gestures that slowly morphed into a Nazi salute. No one has actually seen it, only referencing what has been reported on.

Heaven forbid you watch a Jimmy Carr or Ricky Gervais show they have lots of Nazi jokes.

Being edgy is a valid form of comedy.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:22

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:18

Yes, you're right. I apologise, I understand that he wasn't mocking them and that he must be a real Nazi by doing a salute on a comedy show as part of a joke.

You don’t have to be a real Nazi to use the salute. It’s still unacceptable to use it for attention (and possibly to suggest someone else is a Nazi). Nuance exists.

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:21

knowifIcando · 12/06/2025 17:18

Yes. Perhaps the Nazi salute is performed differently across the regions.

No… we were talking about phrasing.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:20

BigFatBully · 12/06/2025 17:18

What about Adjoa Andoh who was clearly racist in a broadcast about a Royal event? Does she fit in to the description of people who get a "free pass" for being racist? I don't recall there being any reprimands for her disgusting comments.

She wasn’t racist. She made a factual observation about race and power.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:19

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:16

In what way do you not understand comedy? And understand that doing something naughty is part of comedy?

By the sounds of it he is an unpleasant character, but I think him doing a Nazi salute as part of a comedic act does not make him a real Nazi.

Does no one understand context any more?

Comedy is supposed to be funny. Yes, context is important. Which is why a context free Nazi salute isn’t funny.

knowifIcando · 12/06/2025 17:19

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:18

Yes, you're right. I apologise, I understand that he wasn't mocking them and that he must be a real Nazi by doing a salute on a comedy show as part of a joke.

You understand there’s a sea of options between mocking nazis and being an actual nazi?

He wasn’t mocking them at all. He was randomly performing the salute for no reason other than presumably shock value.

BigFatBully · 12/06/2025 17:18

CinnamonCinnabar · 12/06/2025 17:16

He's a middle aged white male, so therefore will continue to get a free pass for being racist & sexist.

What about Adjoa Andoh who was clearly racist in a broadcast about a Royal event? Does she fit in to the description of people who get a "free pass" for being racist? I don't recall there being any reprimands for her disgusting comments.

knowifIcando · 12/06/2025 17:18

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:16

Hi there!! 👋👋

No, I’m not—but I hope that you find happiness in your day. Remember that people phrase things differently based on their region. Dialects vary.

Yes. Perhaps the Nazi salute is performed differently across the regions.

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:18

knowifIcando · 12/06/2025 17:14

How is that mocking Nazis though? Which part of that sketch mocks them?

Yes, you're right. I apologise, I understand that he wasn't mocking them and that he must be a real Nazi by doing a salute on a comedy show as part of a joke.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:17

Disturbia81 · 12/06/2025 15:54

Don’t like him as a person really but loved him in Come fly with me

Unfunny rip off of the much, much better High Life.

cardibach · 12/06/2025 17:17

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:12

He was on a comedy show and what has been described joking about a wrist injury that progressed into a Nazi salute. The salute was part of a comedic act.

Do you honestly believe that he is a Nazi supporter and waited to go on a comedy show to do a salute to show his support?

Yeah, that’s not mocking Nazis. As I thought. It’s trying to be a bit edgy to get attention. It’s not funny and it’s not acceptable.

TheKindPlumHelper · 12/06/2025 17:16

knowifIcando · 12/06/2025 17:12

Has David Walliams’ PR team found the thread?

Surely there can’t be this many people genuinely unable to read, understand common phrases and be so ignorant of basic history and general knowledge?

Hi there!! 👋👋

No, I’m not—but I hope that you find happiness in your day. Remember that people phrase things differently based on their region. Dialects vary.

NoBinturongsHereMate · 12/06/2025 17:16

TheCatsTongue · 12/06/2025 17:12

He was on a comedy show and what has been described joking about a wrist injury that progressed into a Nazi salute. The salute was part of a comedic act.

Do you honestly believe that he is a Nazi supporter and waited to go on a comedy show to do a salute to show his support?

But that isn't mocking Nazis. From the description it sounds as if he may have suggested that Helen was doing Nazi salutes - that's mocking her. And as for the 'sexual gesture' aimed at a female panelist...