David Walliams, the children's author and former Britain's Got Talent judge, has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins UK following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards junior female staff, according to The Telegraph.
The publisher reportedly conducted an internal inquiry after a complaint was made in 2023. Measures taken during the investigation included limiting contact between Walliams and some employees, ensuring staff did not work directly with him, advising them to attend meetings in pairs, and discouraging visits to his home. One woman who raised concerns is understood to have left the company after reaching a settlement that included a five-figure payout.
A HarperCollins spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams.' The decision came after former chief executive Charlie Redmayne stepped down in October and was replaced on an interim basis by Kate Elton.
Walliams has 'strongly' denied the allegations. A spokesperson for the author said: 'David 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.'
Walliams, 54, rose to fame as co-creator and star of BBC's Little Britain and later became a judge on Britain's Got Talent. He has authored over 40 books, with sales estimated at £100m. He left Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after a leaked transcript showed him making crude remarks about contestants.
