HarperCollins is to stop publishing David Walliams’s books and phase out existing shop stock, nine months after ending its relationship with the children’s author.
The publisher had continued to keep Walliams’s previous titles in its catalogue after announcing last December that it would not release any new books by him. It has now confirmed that his full backlist will also be dropped.
A HarperCollins spokesperson said: “I can confirm that HarperCollins will no longer be publishing David Walliams’s backlist.”
The decision follows an investigation into allegations that Walliams harassed young women, including employees at the publishing firm. Walliams has denied any wrongdoing.
In December, HarperCollins 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.
“HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns. To respect the privacy of individuals we do not comment on internal matters.”
A spokesperson for Walliams said at the time that he had never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins and had not been involved in the investigation or given the opportunity to answer questions.
“David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice,” the spokesperson said.
Walliams, 55, is best known for starring in the BBC comedy Little Britain before becoming one of Britain’s most successful children’s authors. His books, including The Boy in the Dress, Fing and Gangsta Granny, have sold more than 60 million copies and are estimated to be worth £100 million in sales.
Gangsta Granny was adapted into a BBC special in 2013, with a sequel following in 2022. Walliams also appeared on Britain’s Got Talent from 2012 until 2022, when he left after apologising for making what he described as “disrespectful comments” about contestants during filming breaks.
In 2023, producer Fremantle apologised and reached an “amicable resolution” with Walliams after the remarks were leaked. He had been suing the company over alleged misuse of private information and breaches of data-protection law.
Walliams was appointed an OBE in 2017 for services to the arts and charity. He raised £2 million for Sport Relief by swimming 140 miles down the River Thames.
