David Walliams' publisher HarperCollins has decided not to publish any new titles by him, and Britain's Got Talent producer Fremantle UK says no complaint was ever made about his behaviour, following his naming as the celebrity at the centre of a failed injunction bid.
The 55-year-old brought legal action against Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publisher of The Guardian, ahead of the two organisations reporting allegations against him, including of sexual misconduct and potential criminal activity. Walliams, who denies the claims, unsuccessfully sought an injunction to prevent these publications because of the risk he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts.
High Court Ruling and Investigation Details
The High Court in London was previously told by lawyers for the media organisations that the allegations involved Walliams' alleged 'abuse of power and status' to contact young women and try to engage in 'inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities'. The media organisations' lawyers told the court during a two-day trial in October that the allegations were gathered after 'a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation' and that there was a 'strong' public interest in publishing them.
More than 100 people were spoken to by reporters from the media organisation, including more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts as well as Walliams' friends and colleagues, Gavin Millar KC said. Walliams' lawyers said that he had initially attempted suicide after receiving letters from ITN and GNM asking for his reply to the allegations, because of 'long-term trauma and the fear of trial by media'.
Judge's Decision and Walliams' Response
Judge Mr Justice Nicklin refused the bid for an injunction, ruling it would be an 'exceptionally serious interference' with freedom of expression. The 52-page judgment also saw the judge say that granting the injunction would not treat the man's psychiatric condition or eliminate his elevated risk. The judgment continued that hospitals and health staff caring for Walliams, who was detained under the Mental Health Act in October, meant that the state had 'assumed responsibility' for his immediate safety and 'can provide significant protection', which 'materially reduces the likelihood of suicide'.
Denying the allegations, Walliams wrote in a letter addressed to journalists working on the ITV and Guardian investigation: "Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with. I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account. That is something I regret. And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did." He added: "I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me."
Publisher and Production Company Statements
Selling more than 60 million copies of his children's books globally, his book publisher HarperCollins, who published The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny, dropped him in December 2025, after an investigation into allegations he had 'harassed' young women, which Walliams strongly denied. In a statement responding to the investigation, HarperCollins said: "HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams. The author is aware of this decision. HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns. To respect the privacy of individuals we do not comment on internal matters."
Walliams is also known for being a judge on Britain's Got Talent from 2012 to 2022. He appeared on the ITV talent show's judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden. Britain's Got Talent production company, Fremantle UK, said in a statement: "David Walliams left Britain's Got Talent four years ago. During his time on the show and in the four years since, no complaint has ever been made - either to Fremantle UK, the broadcaster or regulator... regarding his behaviour. Nevertheless, if anyone feels they have been the subject of any impropriety or wrongdoing by anyone, we encourage them to come forward. We will treat any complaints seriously and investigate thoroughly and to the best of our ability."
Syco Entertainment, the company that created Britain's Got Talent, said: "Syco Entertainment had no knowledge of the allegations described and was not made aware of them at the time." ITV, which broadcasts Britain's Got Talent, stated: "We are very sorry to hear about the concerns that have been raised. BGT is produced for ITV by Fremantle, an independent production company. Although ITV is the broadcaster of the programme, the producer has day to day responsibility for the running of the production, including all aspects of duty of care, and for ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations as well as ITV's production and compliance guidelines."
