David Walliams backlist dropped by HarperCollins UK

HarperCollins UK said it will no longer publish the back catalogue of British comedian and children's author David Walliams after he faced accusations of harassing female staff.

A spokesperson said the publisher would no longer publish Walliams's backlist. The move followed HarperCollins UK's December announcement that it would not publish any new titles by him, saying it took employee wellbeing extremely seriously.

The Daily Telegraph reported in December that a junior employee at the publisher had complained about Walliams's conduct, prompting an internal investigation. The newspaper wrote that one employee agreed a financial settlement and that the publisher advised staff not to visit Walliams at home and to work in pairs.

Walliams's agent said at the time that the author strongly denied inappropriate behaviour.

Walliams rose to fame in the BBC sketch comedy series "Little Britain" with Matt Lucas and later became one of the UK's best-selling children's authors. His books have sold more than 60 million copies, and HarperCollins published titles including "The Boy in the Dress" between 2008 and 2025.

The Guardian reported in 2022 that Walliams had been recorded making derogatory sexual remarks while judging contestants on "Britain's Got Talent". His website has since been shut down and his X account has not been updated since December.