Sky has officially dropped its upcoming fantasy feature Fing, a decision made in the wake of new sexual harassment allegations against David Walliams. The film was set to be released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in early 2027 as a Sky Original. Walliams is involved in the production in multiple capacities, having written the children's book that serves as the source material, co-written the screenplay, and co-starred in the movie. His on-screen co-stars include Taika Waititi and Mia Wasikowska.
The project had previously premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, generating anticipation for its wider release. However, the distributor has now confirmed that it is pulling out of the arrangement. A spokesperson for the network stated that the allegations leveled against Walliams are extremely serious. The company informed the producers of its intention to exit its position as the licensee for the territory. This move effectively halts the film's planned distribution through Sky's channels in the UK and Ireland.
The decision follows a joint investigation conducted by The Guardian and ITV News, which published its findings on Tuesday. The report details accusations that Walliams groomed fans as young as fifteen years old. The allegations claim that the comedian, actor, and author invited teenage girls to his home, where they would stay overnight. The report also notes that he invited them to his dressing rooms, creating environments that the accusers described as concerning.
The investigation further alleges that Walliams would pester and pressure young women to go out with him. These women included professional models and an employee at his publisher, HarperCollins. In some instances, the report states that this pressure led to sexual activity. The findings were released after Walliams failed to secure an injunction in the courts, which would have delayed the publication of the report.
The news of the film's removal comes shortly after other major media outlets took action. The BBC announced that it would remove shows starring or written by Walliams from its streaming platform. This includes the popular series Little Britain. The network's decision to pull the content reflects a broader industry response to the new information revealed by the joint investigation.
Walliams has also faced changes in his professional representation. He was dropped by his agency, Independent Talent Group, following the publication of the report. This move indicates a significant shift in how business partners are handling their relationships with the creative figure amid the ongoing scrutiny.
Sky’s spokesperson added that the network had already removed other content featuring Walliams from its various platforms. This pre-emptive step suggests that the company was reviewing its catalog in anticipation of the report's release. The removal of Fing from the lineup marks a significant blow to the project's release strategy in the British market.
The film's status in other international territories remains a point of interest for industry observers. While Sky has exited the UK and Ireland licensing position, the film's global distribution plan may still proceed depending on decisions made by other partners. The production team is now expected to address the immediate impact of the distributor's withdrawal.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by high-profile productions when key talent faces public allegations. The combination of a major distributor pulling out and a broadcaster removing existing content creates a complex landscape for the film's future. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the producers navigate the next steps in the release process.
As the industry continues to digest the findings of the investigation, the focus remains on the treatment of the film and its creators. The removal of Fing from the Sky lineup is a concrete example of the swift actions being taken by media companies in response to the allegations against Walliams.
