Comedian and children's author David Walliams has been removed from the line-up of a major literary event following fresh allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Festival Axes Author Following Publisher's Lead
The Waterstones Children's Book Festival in Dundee has decided to drop David Walliams from its programme. This move comes directly after his long-time publisher, HarperCollins, severed ties with him last week. The festival organisers acted swiftly in response to the publisher's decision and the surrounding allegations.
The allegations centre on claims of inappropriate behaviour towards young women. Reports have emerged that former employees at HarperCollins were advised to work in pairs when meeting with Walliams. A spokesperson for the author has issued a strong denial of these claims. The spokesperson also stated that Walliams was not informed about, nor was he part of, any investigation conducted by HarperCollins.
A Pattern of Controversial Incidents
This is not the first time Walliams has faced professional repercussions for his behaviour. In 2022, he left his role as a judge on the popular ITV show Britain's Got Talent. His departure followed the leak of recordings in which he made obscene comments about contestants during filming breaks. Walliams later settled a lawsuit with the production company, Fremantle, regarding this matter.
Earlier this year, the entertainer faced further criticism for his conduct during a recording of the BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?. It was reported that Walliams made two Nazi salutes during the recording. The BBC confirmed the gestures were edited out of the final broadcast before transmission.
Fallout and Future Prospects
The consecutive actions by HarperCollins and the Waterstones festival represent a significant blow to Walliams's career as a beloved children's author. His books, including the bestselling Gangsta Granny and Demon Dentist, have been hugely popular across the UK. The loss of his publisher and exclusion from prominent literary events raises serious questions about his future in the children's publishing world.
The situation continues to develop, with Walliams's team maintaining his innocence against all allegations. The literary and entertainment industries are now watching closely to see if further events or partners will distance themselves from the author in the wake of these sustained claims.
