Author and columnist Chloe Combi has revealed that she was warned about David Walliams's behaviour more than a decade ago, amid allegations of sexual misconduct against the comedian and children's author. In an interview with BBC News, Combi said she had heard rumours of "real concerns" within the publishing industry about Walliams's conduct around young female staff.

Combi, who was running a scheme to bring high-profile writers into schools, said she was advised in 2015 to warn head teachers that Walliams was "not an appropriate booking" for a school event.

Allegations and Denials

An investigation by the Guardian and ITV News published last week alleged that Walliams has been accused by several women of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour, and abusing his position. Walliams has denied the allegations, telling the outlets he is "not a sexual predator" and has not "broken the law".

HarperCollins, which published Walliams's best-selling children's books, has been asked for comment on Combi's claims. In response to the original investigation, a spokesperson for the publisher said it had decided not to publish any new titles by Walliams and that it took "employee wellbeing extremely seriously". The company also announced in September that it would no longer be publishing his back catalogue.

The allegations against Walliams include claims that he groomed a 15-year-old fan and had sex with her when she was 17, that he attempted to assault a 15-year-old girl at his home, and that he had a sexual relationship with a junior employee at HarperCollins. Other women have alleged inappropriate behaviour at ITV's Britain's Got Talent, including inviting young women to his dressing room.

'Open Secret'

Combi said she had never met Walliams but had heard concerns from "a number of people" in publishing, TV, and celebrity circles. Asked whether the concerns were an open secret, she replied: "Yes, definitely."

She described how a senior publishing figure warned her at an event in 2015: "Whatever you do, don't invite David Walliams, and FYI if you are speaking to head teachers or teachers, please inform them that he's not a good booking, not an appropriate booking for a school."

Combi added that the person cited "real concerns about his behaviour around young female staff" as one of the reasons.

Industry Reaction

The allegations have sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of women in the media and entertainment industries. Media minister Ian Murray told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday that there is a "cultural problem" that needs to be "stamped out". He said he was "deeply saddened and also angry" at the prevalence of abuse by men in the industry.

Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson paid tribute to the "bravery" of victims who have shared their experiences, telling the Commons: "Women and girls should never have to shrink our lives or ambitions because of outdated, misogynistic attitudes."

Comedian and podcaster Deborah Frances-White told BBC Radio 4's The World at One that young women are "definitely" still being exploited in the comedy industry. She said perpetrators understand consent but enjoy the power that comes with ignoring it, adding: "The thrill is in the contravention of consent."

Comedian Lucy Beaumont told Sky News that she was one of the people who spoke to the Guardian about allegations raised with her about Walliams. She alleged that a young TV worker was tasked with taking young girls to Walliams's dressing room, and that the worker believed they were over 16.

Labour MP Jess Phillips told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the behaviour alleged "needs to be stopped". She described it as "an absolute modus operandi, a target group of women of a certain age, the kind of women who don't have the same amount of power".

Walliams, in his statement, said: "Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with. I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account. That is something I regret. And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did."