Children’s author David Walliams is dropped by his publisher following allegations of inappropriate behaviour

David Walliams has been dropped by his long-standing literary publisher following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women, marking another damaging chapter in the comedian and author’s unravelled public career.

HarperCollins UK confirmed it will no longer publish new titles by Walliams after what it described as “careful consideration” under its new leadership. The decision brings an abrupt halt to a hugely lucrative partnership that helped turn Walliams into one of Britain’s most commercially successful children’s authors.

The publisher said it takes employee wellbeing seriously and has processes in place to address concerns, but declined to comment on internal matters. Walliams has been informed of the decision.

The move follows claims that the former television judge behaved inappropriately towards junior female staff during his time working with the publishing house. While details of the allegations have not been made public, the decision signals a decisive break between Walliams and the company that released many of his bestselling books.

Walliams has strongly denied the claims. A spokesperson said he has never been formally informed of any allegations by HarperCollins, was not involved in any investigation, and was given no opportunity to respond before the decision was made. He is now taking legal advice.

The author’s exit from publishing comes against the backdrop of his dramatic fall from television. Walliams stepped down from his role on Britain’s Got Talent in November 2022 after leaked transcripts revealed offensive remarks he made about contestants during filming breaks. At the time, he apologised, saying the comments were private conversations never meant to be shared.

However, the damage to his reputation proved lasting. His departure from the show ended nearly a decade-long stint as a judge and severed one of his most prominent public roles.

In subsequent legal filings, Walliams claimed the fallout had a severe impact on his mental health, stating that he struggled with dark and suicidal thoughts after leaving the programme. He later launched legal action against the show’s producers, alleging breaches of data protection laws relating to the recording and retention of private conversations.

Despite these disputes, Walliams continued to release books and remained a familiar figure in publishing — until now.

The loss of his publisher represents a major blow to his career. Walliams’ children’s novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and dominated bestseller lists for years. His books were staples of school libraries and Christmas gift lists, often compared commercially to the biggest names in children’s literature.

Industry observers say the decision reflects a broader shift in how publishers and broadcasters respond to allegations concerning behaviour, particularly where workplace culture and safeguarding are involved. Companies are increasingly prioritising reputational risk and employee welfare, even in the absence of legal findings.

For Walliams, the latest development deepens a period of professional isolation. Once one of the most powerful figures in British entertainment, he has seen major doors close in both television and publishing within a short span of time.

Whether Walliams can rebuild his career now remains unclear. For the moment, the author finds himself without a publisher, facing public scrutiny, and fighting to defend his name as the consequences of past controversies continue to unfold.