David Walliams gives Nazi salute during live recording of BBC show

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David Walliams gives Nazi salute during live recording of BBC show

David Walliams was recording a BBC Christmas special of one of the network's popular shows

David Walliams reportedly gave two Nazi salutes during a recording of a BBC One show.

The actor - who settled a privacy case in 2023 after his derogatory remarks about Britain’s Got Talent contestants were leaked - was said to have made the gesture at the Pinewood studio on Tuesday (10 June).

Walliams, 53, was filming a Christmas special of Would I Lie To You?, with the premise of the show being two opposing teams attempt to make each other believe their crazy stories.

As reported by The Times, the salutes were apparently made when Walliams’ teammate and actor Helen George said she had sprained her wrist from 'from waving too much during the Strictly tour'.

She tried to convince opposing team leader David Mitchell that her story was true after demonstrating what her wave was like.

David Walliams reportedly did two Nazi salutes during the recording (Dave Benett/Getty Images for DKMS)
David Walliams reportedly did two Nazi salutes during the recording (Dave Benett/Getty Images for DKMS)

Walliams reportedly then joined in with the waves by holding his arm out in a Nazi salute.

The Times said host Rob Brydon 'reprimanded Walliams, reminding him that the show went out before the watershed'.

"However, as the round continued with some light-hearted but lewd jokes about George’s experience on Strictly, Walliams, 53, made the gesture a second time, embellishing it with a sexual twist," The Times reports.

A BBC spokesperson as apologised following the incident (Ben Montgomery/WireImage)
A BBC spokesperson as apologised following the incident (Ben Montgomery/WireImage)

Lee Mack, Walliams' team captain, also 'looked distinctly unimpressed'.

One audience member told the outlet: “It was all very weird.

“There were gasps from the audience and the other panellists all looked very uncomfortable.”

Another audience member reported wrote on X: “I didn’t have David Walliams doing a Nazi salute at the Would I Lie To You? Christmas taping on my 2025 bingo card.”

Zeppotron, who produce Would I Lie To You?, said there is no change of the episode being aired.

One audience member send the joke landed 'awkwardly' (BBC)
One audience member send the joke landed 'awkwardly' (BBC)

The BBC has also apologised for the incident, after a spokesperson told LADbible Group: “The use of such an offensive gesture is completely unacceptable and we apologise to all at the recording for the offence caused.”

A spokesperson for Banijay UK, which owns Zeppotron, also said to LADbible Group: “Any attempt at humour regarding this deeply offensive gesture, whether broadcast or not, is completely unacceptable in any context.

“It was immediately acknowledged during the recording that this segment would not be broadcast under any circumstances and we apologise to those who were at the recording for any offence caused.”

LADbible Group has contacted David Walliams' representatives for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images

Topics: David Walliams, BBC, TV