HarperCollins UK has dropped bestselling children’s author David Walliams after reports that the publisher investigated allegations he harassed junior female employees.
Report has it that the publisher looked into complaints from junior staff and, following the investigation, kept some employees away from Walliams.
The report also said one woman who raised concerns about the 54-year-old received a five-figure settlement and later left the company.
In a statement, HarperCollins UK 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. The author is aware of this decision.”
The publisher added that it takes employee wellbeing “extremely seriously” and has processes in place to report and investigate concerns, but declined to comment further on internal matters.
Walliams has strongly denied the allegations. A spokesperson said he had not been informed of any investigation and was not given an opportunity to respond.
“David strongly denies that he has behavedUK Children’s Author David Walliams Dropped After Harassment Allegations inappropriately and is taking legal advice,” the spokesperson said.
Walliams has sold more than 60 million books worldwide, translated into 55 languages. His best-known titles include The Boy in the Dress, Billionaire Boy and Gangsta Granny. He first rose to prominence on British television with Little Britain alongside Matt Lucas before launching his writing career.
He also served as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent for a decade, leaving the show in 2022 after apologising for making “disrespectful comments” about contestants during filming breaks.
HarperCollins UK is the British arm of the global publishing group owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and is now led by chief executive Kate Elton.
Reuters / Jide Johnson