Comedian David Walliams is facing renewed scrutiny after reportedly making multiple Nazi salutes during the filming of a BBC episode of Would I Lie to You?. According to audience members present at the recording earlier this month, Walliams performed the salute several times during retakes, mimicking a march off stage in what appeared to be an attempt at humour.
The gesture, associated with Adolf Hitler and the atrocities of Nazi Germany, drew unease from those in attendance. Several described the moment as “inappropriate” and “uncomfortable,” with some calling it “bizarre” and “not remotely funny.” The BBC has confirmed that the footage will be removed from the final broadcast.
This is not the first time Walliams has faced criticism for inappropriate behaviour. In 2022, he stepped down as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent after off-camera recordings emerged of him making sexually explicit and derogatory remarks about contestants. Earlier, his comedy series Little Britain was withdrawn from major streaming platforms due to its use of blackface and offensive caricatures.
A spokesperson for Banijay UK, which owns the show’s production company Zeppotron acknowledged the offensiveness of the action, deemed it “unacceptable in any context” and apologised for people present at the recording “for any offence caused”.
