David Walliams, one of the UK’s best-selling children’s authors, has officially been dropped by HarperCollins UK. The publisher confirmed it will no longer release any new titles from Walliams following an internal investigation into claims of workplace harassment. The decision marks the end of a highly lucrative relationship, which saw Walliams sell more than 60 million books worldwide in over 55 languages.
The move follows the arrival of HarperCollins’ new CEO, Kate Elton, who stepped into the role in October. Under her leadership, the company conducted a review of internal concerns, prioritizing staff welfare and complaints from junior female employees who reportedly faced inappropriate behavior from Walliams.
Why HarperCollins Made the Call
At the center of the decision were allegations that Walliams harassed young female staff members at HarperCollins. The publisher said it undertook “careful consideration” and reviewed its internal reporting channels before deciding not to publish any further books by the author.
The controversy goes beyond the publishing house. Walliams had already drawn criticism for public incidents, including allegedly making Nazi salutes on the BBC’s Would I Lie To You? during a comedy segment involving co-panelist Helen George. Despite host Rob Brydon stepping in to correct him, reports say Walliams repeated the gesture.
He also faced backlash for inappropriate off-camera comments about contestants while filming Britain’s Got Talent. After stepping down from the show in 2022, Walliams sued the production company Fremantle over the leak of private remarks and later reached a settlement in 2023.
Who Is David Walliams?
Walliams rose to fame with the sketch comedy series Little Britain and went on to become a household name in children’s literature. His popular books like Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy, and Mr. Stink made him one of the most recognizable names in modern UK publishing. His stories were frequently adapted for TV, and he became a go-to guest and judge on major British entertainment shows.
In 2017, he was awarded an OBE for his contributions to charity and the arts. His recent book, Santa & Son, was released under HarperCollins—now likely to be his final title with the publisher.
Net Worth and Pay Controversies
Walliams’ net worth is estimated at around $25 million. He reportedly earned up to £1.8 million per season on Britain’s Got Talent, a figure that led to tensions behind the scenes. Co-judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon demanded equal pay after discovering they were earning significantly less. Simon Cowell later stepped in to level the salaries across the panel.
