David Walliams denies inappropriate behaviour after publisher drops him

David Walliams has denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour after HarperCollins UK said it would not publish any new titles by the best-selling children's author. The publishing house, which recently installed a new chief executive, indicated the decision came after careful consideration and as part of an ongoing leadership transition. A Telegraph report cited by BBC News described the move as following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward young women. HarperCollins did not publicly confirm the reasons for its decision, saying only that it takes employee wellbeing seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns. The company added that, out of respect for privacy, it does not comment on internal matters.

Walliams’ spokesperson pushed back on the reports, saying the author had never been informed of any allegations or asked to participate in any investigation. The spokesperson added that Walliams “strongly denies” any inappropriate behaviour and is taking legal advice. The denial comes alongside broader questions about the author’s standing in publishing and entertainment as the story unfolds.

HarperCollins UK appointed Kate Elton as its chief executive in October, signaling a broader shift in the publisher’s leadership. Elton’s arrival coincides with the decisions affecting Walliams’ publishing future, though the company has not disclosed any immediate changes to other authors or titles tied to its UK portfolio. The publisher, in discussing its policy practices, emphasized that employee wellbeing is a priority and that internal inquiries are handled through established channels. It stopped short of detailing any specific allegations in relation to Walliams.

Walliams is one of the United Kingdom’s most successful children's authors, with more than 60 million copies sold worldwide in 55 languages. His publishing career began with The Boy in the Dress in 2008, and his catalog has since included popular titles such as Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, several of which have been adapted for television. His latest HarperCollins title, a Christmas book titled Santa & Son, was released in October. In addition to print, two of his books—Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress—have been adapted into television films that broadcasters have scheduled for airing on CBBC in the near future. Walliams is also set to appear on the comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? on Boxing Day, though the BBC said there would be no changes to its festive schedules and that there are currently no future projects directly involving the comedian.

Walliams rose to fame with the television sketch show Little Britain and has since been a fixture on British television as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, a role that helped him achieve broader recognition beyond his children’s books. He was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts. Yet his public profile has been punctuated by controversies in recent years. In a summer episode of Would I Lie to You? he appeared to make two Nazi salutes, a moment that drew criticism. In 2022, Walliams apologized for making “disrespectful comments” about two Britain’s Got Talent contestants during a break in filming. He subsequently left the programme and sued the production company over the leakage of remarks, a dispute that was settled in 2023.

The unfolding situation at HarperCollins comes amid broader scrutiny of how publishers handle allegations of misconduct and how迅 the industry responds to high-profile figures. As Walliams maintains his denial, observers will be watching not only the legal proceedings but also how his publishing and screen projects may be affected in the coming months. The story also underscores the continuing influence of Walliams in children’s literature and British pop culture, where a career can span books, TV adaptations, and appearances on popular panel shows, all under the glare of public scrutiny and media reporting.