David Walliams cut from star-studded kids' movie filmed in Queensland

A new Australian movie based on a book by David Walliams will scrub the writer and actor from the movie and publicity materials.

Fing! has also been dropped by streaming platform Stan, which was set to release the movie after its cinematic release in January.

It follows allegations of grooming and sexual assault against the Little Britain star and children's author.

The Australian producers of Fing!, an upcoming children's movie based on a book by David Walliams, have confirmed his cameo has been removed from the film following allegations against the comedian.

Its distributor, Transmission Films, has also confirmed that Walliams, a co-writer on the movie, will also be removed from its publicity, and its streaming distributor Stan has confirmed it will no longer release the movie.

In an investigation published by The Guardian and ITV, Walliams is alleged to have groomed teenage fans and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl, and to have harassed young female colleagues.

Walliams, who lost a High Court battle to avoid being identified in the UK media and did not appeal the decision, denied targeting teenagers and using his fame to manipulate them to have sex, his lawyers said.

A UK/Australia co-production, Fing! stars Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska, Iona Bell and Blake Harrison, with a screenplay written by Walliams and Kevin Cecil. It is directed by Australian filmmaker Jeffery Walker (Apple Cider Vinegar).

It is based on Walliams's 2019 book Fing, which has sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.

Fing! will retain its January 14 Australian release date, as confirmed by local distributor Transmission Films.

"Walliams will not be participating in the Australian publicity campaign," a Transmission Films spokesperson told ABC Arts.

"The campaign will focus on the film's Australian production, director and lead cast."

The fantasy family film follows parents tracking down a mythical beast to appease their unruly child. In addition to co-writing the screenplay, Walliams was set to feature in the film as a character called Headmaster.

"The film's producers have advised that they have removed Walliams's cameo appearance from Fing!" the Transmission spokesperson said.

Stan was slated to make Fing! available on its streaming platform following the movie's theatrical run, but has confirmed to ABC Arts it has been dropped.

"In light of the recent and serious allegations against David Walliams, Stan has removed Fing! from its content slate," a Stan spokesperson said.

The film's US distributor, Angel Studios, has also confirmed that it will be removing Walliams from the film.

"We take the allegations reported regarding David Walliams seriously," it said in a statement to Variety.

"Our thoughts are with anyone who has been affected ... and [Walliams] will have no involvement in the film's release or promotion."

UK distributor Sky has removed the film from its upcoming slate altogether.

"The allegations made against David Walliams are extremely serious," a spokesperson said.

"We have notified the producers of the film of our intention to exit our position as the UK and Ireland licensee of Fing."

Fing! was filmed in Queensland in 2025, with support from Screen Queensland.

"David Walliams's FING! is beloved by children around the world, and it's incredible to see our Production Attraction Strategy supporting renowned Queensland creatives as they bring it to life on the big screen," Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek said in a press release at the time.

Mr Langbroek said Fing! contributed about $16 million to Queensland's economy and employed more than 300 locals during production.

ABC Arts has approached Screen Queensland for comment.

The news about the Australian release of Fing! follows past Walliams projects, including Little Britain, being dropped from streaming services. The sketch show, which ran from 2003 to 2006, was nixed by its production company, the BBC, in 2020 amid concerns over its use of blackface.

In 2020, the sketch show was removed from Stan, where it had been available to stream. It has also previously been available to watch on ABC iview.

A number of TV shows written by or starring Walliams, including a TV adaptation of his children's book Mr Stink, are also no longer available to watch on ABC iview.

"In light of the serious allegations against David Walliams, the ABC has removed some content from ABC iview," an ABC spokesperson said. "We will continue to monitor developments."

Walliams was also a judge on Australia's Got Talent for its final season in 2022. Channel 7 has removed the season from its streaming platforms.

In December 2025, Walliams's publisher HarperCollins dropped the author after he faced accusations of harassing female staff, which he denied.

ABC News has approached HarperCollins for comment.