David Walliams

Source: Sriya Sarkar (licensed under CC 4.0)

David Walliams

Sky has dropped family feature Fing! for UK-Ireland distribution following allegations against David Walliams, who stars in the film and on whose book it is based.

“The allegations made against David Walliams are extremely serious. We have notified the producers of the film of our intention to exit our position as the UK & Ireland licensee of Fing. We have already removed content which features him from our platforms,” said a statement from a Sky spokesperson.

Sky co-produced and held UK-Ireland distribution rights to Fing! as a Sky Original title, with a tentative release date scheduled for early 2027. The film is produced by Jo Sargent from the UK with Todd Fellman of Story Bridge Films and Craig McMahon, both of Australia.

Fing! had its world premiere in the Family Matinee section at Sundance Film Festival in January. Based on Walliams’ 2021 children’s book of the same name, it follows a young girl who demands the mysterious titular creature, sending her parents on a chaotic quest through the deepest jungle.

Iona Bell, Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska, Blake Harrison and Penelope Wilton lead the cast, with Walliams’ regular creative partner Matt Lucas voicing the Fing.

It is directed by Jeffrey Walker, with AGC Studios handling sales. Angel Studios currently holds US distribution rights with a planned release for early 2027.

Earlier today The Guardian and ITV published a joint investigation into Walliams, in which multiple women accused the writer and performer of sexual harassment. The allegations include one woman who says Walliams initiated sexual contact with her when she was 15; there are separate allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women on ITV show Britain’s Got Talent, and at HarperCollins, Walliams’ former publisher.

Walliams denies all the allegations. The BBC has pulled all episodes of Little Britain, the sketch comedy which made Walliams’ name in the 2000s, from its iPlayer service following the allegations; while Walliams has been dropped by his literary agency Independent Talent.

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