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 reports.
The publisher, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, reportedly conducted an internal inquiry after a complaint was made in 2023. Measures taken included limiting contact between Walliams and some employees, such as ensuring staff did not work directly with him 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. The decision to sever ties came after HarperCollins' former chief executive, Charlie Redmayne, stepped down in October and was replaced on an interim basis by Kate Elton.
In a statement, 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.' Walliams has 'strongly' denied the allegations, with his spokesperson saying he was not informed of any complaints or given an opportunity to respond, and that he is taking legal advice.
Walliams, 54, rose to fame as co-creator of Little Britain and later became a bestselling children's author with over 40 books. He left Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after a leaked transcript showed him making crude remarks about contestants.
