BBC risks backlash after airing Boxing Day episode of Would I Lie To You? featuring David Walliams as he faces allegations of inappropriate behaviour

The BBC has risked a fresh backlash by airing the Boxing Day episode of its long-running comedy panel show featuring David Walliams.

BBC One, Would I Lie to You? released a festive version of his program. Walliams appeared as a panelist following allegations of inappropriate behavior made against him.

The comedian and prolific children’s book author, 54, was sacked by publisher Harper Collins after he was accused of harassing young female staff.

Walliams, who denied the allegations, appeared in the episode, which was broadcast at 19:00 on Friday but was filmed in the summer.

Last week, the BBC announced that it would not remove the episode from its programme.

He also said he had no future projects that would directly involve David Walliams, who has also been sacked as an ambassador for charity The Children’s Trust and removed from the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival line-up.

Walliams appeared as a guest on the show alongside Call The Midwife actress Helen George, BBC radio DJs Swarzy Shire and Jools Holland, team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack and presenter Rob Brydon.

Walliams (left) appeared as a guest on the show alongside Call The Midwife actress Helen George (right) and Lee Mack (centre).

Walliams caused controversy during the filming of the episode in June, when viewers noticed him giving the Nazi salute twice in one episode as part of a prank.

The BBC apologized for an incident in one of its stories in which Ms George injured her wrist while waving, saying it was ‘completely unacceptable’.

Fellow panelists were said to be shocked by the incident during filming at Pinewood Studios.