UK police open sex offence probe into comedian and author David Walliams

London police announced on Friday the start of an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences involving comedian and children's author David Walliams. The Metropolitan Police stated that they have received multiple claims of non-recent serious sexual offences against a man in his 50s. These allegations are being investigated separately from those previously reported by The Guardian and ITV News, which detailed multiple women's claims of sexual assault dating back to 2003, including an alleged assault on a 15-year-old girl.

Walliams, 55, firmly denied these latest allegations, which also include accusations of grooming teenage fans and harassing young female colleagues. The media reports emerged after Walliams lost a High Court battle to prevent his identification in the UK media. The allegations come in the wake of Russell Brand's recent 10-year prison sentence for rape and sexual assault.

Walliams, who gained fame through sketch shows "Little Britain" and "Come Fly With Me" and as a judge on "Britain's Got Talent," has also authored children's books that have reportedly sold 50 million copies. His publisher, HarperCollins, ended its relationship with him last year following harassment allegations against him. Following the new claims, the BBC removed shows featuring Walliams from its platforms, and his literary agents announced they were no longer representing him.

Walliams' legal team argued that publishing the reports could lead to his suicide, as he had made two suicide attempts this year and was recently hospitalized.