Arabic version: فيلم «فينغ!» يحذف ظهور ديفيد واليامز وصلاته الدعائية

According to ABC News, Australian producers of the children’s film Fing! have removed David Walliams’s cameo following allegations against the writer and comedian. Distributor Transmission Films said Walliams, who co-wrote the screenplay, will not take part in the Australian publicity campaign and will be removed from promotional materials.

The UK-Australia production is based on Walliams’s 2019 book Fing. The fantasy family story follows parents seeking a mythical beast to appease their unruly child. Walliams had been due to appear as a character named Headmaster. The film stars Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska, Iona Bell and Blake Harrison, and is directed by Australian filmmaker Jeffery Walker. Kevin Cecil co-wrote the screenplay.

Fing! will retain its January 14 Australian cinema release date, Transmission Films confirmed. However, Stan, which had been scheduled to carry the film after its theatrical run, has removed it from its content slate. US distributor Angel Studios said Walliams would have no involvement in the film’s release or promotion, while UK distributor Sky said it intended to exit its position as the UK and Ireland licensee.

The changes follow allegations published by The Guardian and ITV that Walliams groomed teenage fans, sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl and harassed young female colleagues. Walliams denied targeting teenagers and using his fame to manipulate them into sex, his lawyers said. He lost a High Court battle to avoid being identified in UK media and did not appeal the decision.

Filmed in Queensland in 2025 with Screen Queensland support, the production generated more than $24 million in local expenditure and employed about 210 Queensland crew, Screen Queensland said. The agency said it was aware of media reports about Walliams but was not involved in production-specific decisions on cast, crew or distribution.