Children's author and television personality David Walliams has been removed from an upcoming Waterstones book festival, marking the latest fallout from allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The decision follows his publisher, HarperCollins, announcing it will no longer publish new titles by the bestselling writer.
Festival Appearance Cancelled Following Publisher's Decision
Walliams was scheduled to appear at the Dundee leg of the Waterstones Children's Book Festival on 7 February. He has now been removed from the list of speakers on the festival's official website. A spokesperson for the bookselling chain confirmed the development, stating: "HarperCollins have confirmed that David Walliams will no longer be appearing at our festival in Dundee."
The move comes directly after HarperCollins UK, under its new CEO, concluded it would cease publishing new works by Walliams. This decision was reportedly made after an internal investigation into complaints about the author's conduct towards junior female staff members at the publishing house.
Allegations and Legal Response
According to reports, the investigation centred on allegations that Walliams had "harassed" young women within the company. One complainant is understood to have left HarperCollins after reaching a settlement that included a five-figure financial payout.
In response to these developments, a spokesperson for David Walliams issued a strong denial. They stated that the author had "never been informed of any allegations raised against him" by his former publisher and was not given an opportunity to respond to any investigation. "David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice," the spokesperson added.
HarperCollins, in its official statement, 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."
Broader Context and Broadcasting Fallout
The controversy emerges as Walliams is still set to appear in a festive special of the popular BBC One panel show Would I Lie to You? on Boxing Day. This recording had previously attracted attention when it was revealed Walliams made two Nazi salutes during filming, a segment the production company said would never be broadcast.
Regarding Walliams's future with the broadcaster, a BBC spokesperson noted: "While we're not making any changes to the festive schedules, we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams."
Despite the ongoing situation, two of Walliams's popular books, Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress, were adapted for television and broadcast on CBBC this past Sunday, indicating his existing published works continue to be disseminated.
The series of events highlights the significant professional repercussions facing the author in the wake of these serious allegations, affecting his relationships with both a major publisher and a leading retail book chain.
