David Walliams sold his luxury seaside home for £3.7million months before being dropped by his publisher following allegations of harassment involving junior female employees, it has emerged.
The comedian and children's author, 55, reportedly sold the beachfront property in the popular resort of Hove, East Sussex, to Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey in August 2025. The sale came ahead of HarperCollins announcing it would no longer publish new titles by Walliams in December that year.
Sale details and property features
According to the Daily Mail, Land Registry documents show Bailey paid £3.7million for the property, £200,000 more than its £3.5million asking price. The impressive four-bedroom home is situated along an exclusive stretch of coastline dubbed "Millionaire's Row", where famous residents have included Adele, Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.
Walliams purchased the property in 2010 and had previously sold a neighbouring annexe to Bailey for £1.5million in 2023. The two stars were already acquainted through their work in entertainment, having appeared together in a Comic Relief sketch inspired by The Traitors in 2024.
The luxury beachfront villa, one of just 12 properties along the prestigious seafront, boasts four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a rooftop terrace and its own private stretch of beach. Estate agents Fine & Country previously marketed the home as a contemporary beach villa designed by award-winning architects.
London property and auction reports
Inside, the property features an open-plan kitchen and entertainment area, underfloor heating, secure parking and a sizeable cellar. Photographs from the property listing also showed personal touches, including pictures of famous figures such as Michael Caine, Roger Moore and Daniel Craig, alongside a collection of vintage toys.
The seaside property sale has emerged alongside further reports about Walliams' luxury London home and its furnishings. According to The Telegraph, furniture and furnishings apparently belonging to the former Britain's Got Talent judge were auctioned for a combined £109,570 in October.
The newspaper reported that 17 lots sold by Lots Road Auctions in Fulham appeared to match items previously photographed inside Walliams' London townhouse overlooking Regent's Park. Among the items were two Hermès leather sofas, which fetched £14,500 and £21,500, while an Asprey Ritz-Carlton cocktail trolley sold for £11,000.
Allegations and publisher's decision
The auction took place around the same time as a £1.45million reduction in the asking price of his London property, which was lowered from £11.95million to £10.5million. The townhouse was first listed for sale in June, although it is not known whether a buyer has been found.
The reports come amid the publication of allegations of sexual misconduct against Walliams, which he strongly denies. A joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian detailed allegations involving teenage girls and young women, including claims dating back to 2003.
Walliams had sought to prevent publication through a High Court injunction, but his application was dismissed by Mr Justice Nicklin on November 3. The judge made clear that the court had not determined whether any of the allegations were true.
HarperCollins previously investigated complaints about Walliams' behaviour and announced in December 2025 that it would no longer publish new books by the author. Walliams has strongly denied allegations of criminal wrongdoing and grooming young women, and has also denied having any sexual contact with one of the women who made allegations against him.
