David Walliams denies inappropriate behavior after publisher drops him

LONDON — HarperCollins has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams, the British children's author and comedian who served as a judge on Britain's Got Talent. The publisher said the decision is part of leadership changes under its new U.K. chief executive, and that Walliams was aware of it.

A Walliams spokesperson said in a statement that he "has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins." "He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice," the statement said.

Walliams has published more than 40 children's books and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to his website. Several of them, including "Gangsta Granny," have been adapted into BBC comedy dramas and stage productions. Walliams left his role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after apologizing for making "disrespectful comments" about auditioning contestants.

HarperCollins said it would not comment on internal matters, "to respect the privacy of individuals." "HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns," it said. The publisher emphasized that it would not provide further details about the decision.

Walliams has built a long-running career as a bestselling author for children, with a public profile that includes television work and live performances. The latest development comes as publishers reassess relationships with major authors amid changing leadership and ongoing conversations about workplace conduct and accountability.