An English writer and comedian with a history of controversial conduct is under fire once again.
David Walliams, a best-selling children’s author and former television personality, was dropped by his publisher, HarperCollins, following reports of inappropriate behavior toward junior female employees.
The move comes after October’s unexpected resignation of the publisher’s former CEO, Charlie Redmayne, the elder half-brother of Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne.
The allegations surrounding Walliams began in 2023 after a junior colleague reportedly complained about his conduct, prompting an investigation. Employees who worked with Walliams were interviewed about his behavior, and the investigation concluded in 2024.
One junior woman who raised concerns about the author left the publisher with a settlement that included a five-figure payout.
Walliams’ agent told The Telegraph that the actor was unaware of the accusations against him.
“David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins,” his agent said. “He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions.
“David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”
HarperCollins and a rep for Walliams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Walliams’ first children’s novel, The Boy in the Dress, was published in 2008. Subsequent bestsellers include Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy. His books have been translated into 55 languages and have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.
Walliams, 54, also boasts a laundry list of incidents of questionable conduct.
While he was a judge for Britain’s Got Talent, he was caught on a hot mic making explicit comments about contestants—referring to one contestant as a “c---” and saying about another: “She thinks you want to f--k her, but you don’t.”
Walliams released a statement apologizing for the incident before leaving the show and eventually suing the program makers over his leaked comments.
“I would like to apologize to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020,” he said in a statement. “These were private conversations and—like most conversations with friends—were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.”
Two of the actor’s early TV comedy series, Little Britain and Come Fly With Me, were removed from streaming platforms in 2020 due to Walliams and his writing partner Matt Lucas’s use of blackface and stereotypes to depict various minority groups.
“[We] have both spoken publicly in recent years of our regret that we played characters of other races,” Walliams and Lucas wrote in a statement shared to Twitter (now X). “Once again, we want to make it clear that it was wrong & we are very sorry.”
In June, The Times reported that Walliams performed two Nazi salutes during a taping of a Christmas-themed special episode of the British comedy show Would I Lie to You?, shocking the audience and drawing criticism from panel members. The BBC said the footage would not be broadcast.
