David Walliams gives Nazi salutes during BBC taping

On June 10, 2025, David Walliams sparked controversy during a recording of the Christmas special for the BBC show 'Would I Lie To You?' The incident occurred in the United Kingdom and involved Walliams making two Nazi salutes, which shocked the studio audience, host Rob Brydon, and his fellow panellists. The offensive gestures were prompted by an anecdote shared by Helen George, a cast member of 'Call the Midwife', who spoke about spraining her wrist from excessive waving during a dance tour. As she attempted to demonstrate a grand wave, Walliams joined in with the salutes, leading to discomfort among the attendees. Audience reactions included gasps and visible unease from those on stage. It is reported that the atmosphere of the recording became strained, and team captain Lee Mack expressed disappointment regarding Walliams' behavior. The BBC, condemning Walliams' actions, labeled them as 'unacceptable' and apologized to everyone present at the taping. They insisted that this segment would not be aired. This incident is not Walliams' first encounter with controversy; he departed from his role as a judge on 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2022 following revelations of making vulgar comments during auditions. Those comments were captured by microphones and not intended for public dissemination, which later led to a lawsuit against the production company for leaking those private conversations. Throughout his career, Walliams has faced scrutiny for several inappropriate remarks and behaviors while performing, reflecting a trend of public accountability in the entertainment industry. The actions at the recording, as well as the critique from the BBC and audience discontent, signify the ongoing discourse surrounding acceptable behavior in public forums and the repercussions that follow for celebrities who cross lines of decency.