Schools and libraries in London are removing David Walliams books from their shelves after he was revealed as the celebrity facing sex claims. Camden Council is taking the action in its public libraries after Walliams was named following an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News. The former Britain's Got Talent judge and author is accused of grooming teenage women as young as 15 for sex.
Camden Council removes books from display
Walliams, 55, who has sold more than 60 million books worldwide, denies any wrongdoing. But a Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to making Camden a safer place for women and girls, to challenging harmful attitudes, and promoting healthy relationships. Following these allegations, we believe the most appropriate action is to remove these books from display.”
Schools in Camden have been left to decide for themselves whether to still keep his books. But other school chiefs were advising the removal of Walliams books as he faced sex claims from several women having failed to obtain an injunction to prevent the reporting of the allegations against him.
School trusts issue guidance on Walliams titles
Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, which runs 59 schools across England, said the academy trust has issued guidance to headteachers to temporarily remove Walliams books. He explained: “Our advice is, for the sake of our children and to protect our children, the right thing to do – because this will traumatise some children without doubt if they read his name or see his face – is to remove books from our libraries temporarily.”
The trust has 16 schools in London and the South East, including in Lambeth, Croydon and Enfield. Academy trust GLF Schools, which runs 43 schools, many of them in London's commuter belt, has also decided to remove Walliams books from its school libraries.
Government guidance sought and publisher drops author
The Association of School and College Leaders called on the Government to issue guidance to help headteachers decide what to do with Walliams books in schools. They include The Boy In The Dress, Fing and Gangsta Granny, the latter of which was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.
Walliams' publisher HarperCollins dropped him in December 2025 following an internal investigation into his alleged inappropriate behaviour and harassment towards junior female staff. He denied the claims, saying he had "never been informed of any allegations raised against him” or been asked to cooperate with the HarperCollins investigation.
The Gangsta Granny ride at the Alton Towers resort, named after one of his books, was closed down recently. Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warned the entertainment industry it must introduce safeguards following the claims against Walliams and Russell Brand's conviction.
Culture Secretary warns industry and urges police contact
She told MPs that ministers “would not hesitate” to take action if the protections put in place were inadequate. Speaking in the Commons, she criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade. She also said she would discuss the usage of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) during a meeting with media and entertainment executives next week.
Brand, 51, was jailed this week for ten years and six months after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. Ministers have urged women who believe Walliams committed crimes against them to contact the police.
