David Walliams is said to have made two Nazi salutes while filming the year’s Christmas special of BBC’s comedy panel show, Would I Lie To You? as the show featured two opposing teams attempting to make each other believe their false stories, the actor was joined by his team-mate, Call the Midwife star Helen George.

It was reported that she was telling a story about her time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 when he made the gestures. The Trixie Aylward star was trying to convince the opposing team, led by David Mitchell, that she had sprained her wrist “from waving too much during the Strictly tour,” where she was paired with Aljaz Skorjanec. After demonstrating the wave, she was told that it was “too little” as Walliams, 53, joined in before holding his arm in a Nazi salute.

According to The Times, the show’s 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, the former BGT judge made the gesture a second time, embellishing it with a sexual twist.”

Meanwhile, Willam’s team captain, comedian Lee Mack also “looked distinctly unimpressed,” as an audience member revealed his controversial joke didn’t land well.

One told the publication: “It was all very weird. There were gasps from the audience and the other panellists all looked very uncomfortable.”

Another took to X, formerly known as Twitter, after the live recording to share their experience and discomfort.

They remarked: “I didn’t have David Walliams doing a Nazi salute at the Would I Lie To You? Christmas taping on my 2025 bingo card.”

The show’s production company and the BBC both described the gestures as “completely unacceptable” and said the segment would not be broadcast.

A spokesperson for the BBC told the Daily Express: “The use of such an offensive gesture is completely unacceptable and we apologise to all at the recording for the offence caused.”

Walliams has not been seen on television since 2022 after he was caught calling an elderly contestant on Britain’s Got Talent a “c***” during a break in filming in January 2020.

Although he apologised, the TV star sued production company Fremantle for misuse of private information and breaching data laws.

The company issued an apology and said the matter had been resolved. The comedian is thought to have walked away with around £5 million.