In a significant development within the British publishing industry, HarperCollins UK has severed ties with renowned children’s author and television personality David Walliams following unspecified allegations. The 54-year-old comedian, whose literary works have achieved global recognition, finds himself at the center of controversy as the publishing giant announced it would cease publication of any new titles from the author.
The decision, confirmed through an official statement released on Friday, marks a dramatic turn in Walliams’ prolific career. HarperCollins indicated the move came “after careful consideration” under the direction of its new chief executive, though the publisher declined to elaborate on specific details regarding the allegations, citing respect for individual privacy and internal processes.
Walliams’ representatives have issued a forceful response, asserting the author had received no formal notification of any allegations from HarperCollins prior to the termination decision. According to his spokesperson, Walliams was excluded from any investigative proceedings and denied opportunity to address concerns directly. The author maintains his innocence regarding any alleged inappropriate conduct and has sought legal counsel in response to the publisher’s actions.
The publishing house emphasized its commitment to employee welfare, noting it maintains established protocols for reporting and examining workplace concerns. This separation occurs despite Walliams’ extraordinary commercial success within children’s literature—his website documents over 40 published works with more than 60 million copies sold internationally. Several of his most popular titles, including “Gangsta Granny,” have been adapted into successful television productions and theatrical performances.
This professional setback follows previous controversy surrounding Walliams’ tenure as a judge on “Britain’s Got Talent,” from which he departed in 2022 after issuing apologies for making disrespectful remarks about participants during auditions.