The distributors of an upcoming Australian film based on a book by children’s author and television personality David Walliams have confirmed he will be removed from the film and its publicity run after sexual harassment allegations were made public.
Transmission Films has confirmed that Walliams, a co-writer of the children’s fantasy film Fing!, will no longer appear in the movie or take part in its media campaign before its ۱۴ January cinema debut.
“Walliams will not be participating in the Australian publicity campaign. The campaign will focus on the film’s Australian production, director and lead cast,” Transmission Films said in a statement.
“The film’s producers have advised that they have removed Walliams’ cameo appearance from Fing!”
The decision comes after a joint investigation by the Guardian UK and ITV News revealed sexual harassment allegations, including allegations that Walliams groomed fans he met when they were as young as ۱۵, and allegations he harassed women in the workplace over a number of years. He has denied the allegations.
The ۵۵-year-old multimillionaire and Order of the British empire (OBE) recipient is one of the UK’s most famous comedians and writers. Earlier this year, his lawyers took a case to the high court in an attempt to stop the allegations from being published. The case was dismissed.
The film, based on the British writer’s ۲۰۱۹ book, was produced by Walliams’ production company, King Bert. It stars Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska, Iona Bell and Blake Harrison, and is directed by Australian film-maker Jeffrey Walker. Walliams co-wrote the screenplay with Kevin Cecil.
The streaming service Stan, which was eventually expected to host the film on its platform after its cinema release, has confirmed it will no longer stream the movie.
“In light of the recent and serious allegations against David Walliams, Stan has removed Fing! from its content slate,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
The film’s US distributor, Angel Studios, has also confirmed they have removed Walliams’s cameo, and he would also be cut from its US marketing materials, following the sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.
“We take the allegations reported regarding David Walliams seriously,” they said in a statement to Variety. “Our thoughts are with anyone who has been affected. We have removed his cameo appearance from ‘Fing!,’ and he will have no involvement in the film’s release or promotion.”
The film’s UK-Ireland distributor, Sky, has confirmed it will completely abandon the film.
A Sky spokesperson said: “The allegations made against David Walliams are extremely serious. 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 film could still be shown elsewhere in the world, although it is not yet clear if the other actors and creatives involved will all wish it to be screened.
