Award-winning author and television personality David Walliams has been dropped by HarperCollins UK following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women. Reports from The Telegraph indicate that complaints were made alleging Walliams had harassed junior female staff, prompting the publisher to halt all future releases by the 54-year-old author.

HarperCollins, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, reportedly conducted an internal inquiry after a complaint was lodged in 2023. Measures were taken to reduce contact between Walliams and certain employees, including advising staff to avoid direct interactions, attend meetings in pairs, and refrain from visiting his home. One woman who raised concerns reportedly left the company following a settlement, which included a five-figure payout.

The decision followed a leadership change at HarperCollins, with former CEO Charlie Redmayne stepping down in October and Kate Elton assuming interim leadership. A spokesperson for the publisher confirmed: “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 statement added: “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.”

Walliams has strongly denied the allegations. A spokesperson stated: “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. 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.”

Walliams rose to fame in the early 2000s as the co-creator and star of BBC sketch comedy series Little Britain and Come Fly With Me, later gaining prominence as a television presenter and judge on Britain’s Got Talent. Since 2008, he has become a successful children’s author with over 40 books, reportedly selling £100 million by 2019, and was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to the arts and charity.

The author has faced past controversies, including criticism of racial and cultural stereotypes in his books, leading to the removal of “Brian Wong, Who Was Never, Ever Wrong” from The World’s Worst Children in 2021. He also left Britain’s Got Talent in 2022 following a leaked transcript showing him making crude remarks about contestants. Walliams later reached a settlement with Fremantle, the show’s producer, over alleged misuse of private information in 2023. Reports also suggest he made Nazi salutes while filming the BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?, further fueling scrutiny of his public behaviour.