There’s nothing funny about fascism
David Walliams Has Gone Off The Deep End
What was supposed to be lighthearted holiday entertainment turned stomach-churningly dark when David Walliams performed not one, but two Nazi salutes during a BBC Christmas special taping.
The BBC and production company Banijay UK have condemned comedian and author David Walliams after he made two Nazi salutes during the filming of the Would I Lie To You? Christmas special earlier this week.
Walliams, 52, reportedly made the gestures during a segment in which Call the Midwife actress Helen George told a story about injuring her wrist from excessive waving during the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Walliams began mimicking exaggerated waves, which escalated into him extending his arm in a Nazi-style salute, twice.
Audience members at the Tuesday night recording at Pinewood Studios said the gestures shocked both spectators and fellow panellists. One attendee, journalist Sebastian Topan, described an atmosphere of “awkward gasps, broken clapping, and visible discomfort.” Walliams, who also added a sexual gesture during the second incident, did not respond to audience unease.
“The atmosphere was uncomfortable and weird,” Topan said. “His teammates weren’t laughing. It was like an elephant in the room for the rest of the show.”
The show’s host Rob Brydon reportedly warned Walliams during filming that the episode would air before the 9 p.m. watershed, suggesting the content was inappropriate for a primetime audience.
The BBC responded swiftly, issuing a statement calling Walliams’ gesture “completely unacceptable” and confirming that the segment would be cut from the final broadcast. Banijay UK, which owns Zeppotron, the company behind Would I Lie To You?, echoed the BBC’s condemnation, stating:
“Any attempt at humour regarding this deeply offensive gesture, whether broadcast or not, is completely unacceptable in any context. It was immediately acknowledged that this segment would not be broadcast under any circumstances, and we apologize to those who were at the recording for any offense caused.”
Walliams, who rose to fame with Little Britain and served as a long-time judge on Britain’s Got Talent, has not appeared on mainstream television since 2022, when he exited the ITV talent show following leaked audio of him making disparaging remarks about contestants.
As of publication, Walliams has not issued a public comment regarding the incident.
This latest controversy adds to growing scrutiny over acceptable conduct in comedy, particularly on family-oriented programs.
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