UK publisher drops books by comic David Walliams
Publisher HarperCollins UK has ceased all publishing activities related to comedian and author David Walliams following allegations of inappropriate behavior toward staff. This decision expands on a previous move to stop releasing new titles by the author.
Why it matters
The case reflects the growing corporate accountability regarding workplace conduct and the impact of personal allegations on professional legacies.
Publishing house HarperCollins UK says it will no longer publish the back catalogue of British comedian and best-selling children’s author David Walliams after he faced accusations of harassing female staff.
The publisher announced in December it would not publish any new titles by Walliams, saying it “takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously”.
The Daily Telegraph had published an investigative article in December claiming a junior employee at the publisher had complained about Walliams’ conduct, prompting an internal investigation.
As a result, one employee agreed a financial settlement and the publisher advised staff not to visit Walliams at home and to work in pairs, the Telegraph wrote.
Walliams’s agent said at the time that the author strongly denied inappropriate behaviour.
His website has since been shut down and his X account with two million followers has not been updated since December.
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