Comedian and children's author David Walliams is confronting a bleak and lonely Christmas after his long-standing publisher, HarperCollins, severed ties with him. This dramatic move follows a series of controversies that have chipped away at the once-bulletproof career of the 54-year-old star.
A Golden Career Crumbles
The former Britain's Got Talent judge, whose real name is David Edward Williams, has been a publishing powerhouse for years, amassing an estimated fortune of £17 million. However, HarperCollins announced it would no longer publish new books by Walliams following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards junior female employees at the firm. Walliams has strongly denied these claims.
In a statement released on his behalf, a spokesperson said: "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."
The professional setback coincides with a deeply personal one. Walliams recently admitted he will not be spending Christmas Day with his 12-year-old son, Alfred, whom he co-parents with ex-wife Lara Stone. The former couple divorced in 2015.
A History of Controversial Comments and Actions
Walliams's fall from favour has been building for several years, marked by a string of incidents:
Britain's Got Talent Exit: He left the ITV talent show after leaked audio from January 2020 revealed he made "disrespectful comments" about auditioning contestants during filming breaks at the London Palladium. In the recordings, he referred to one hopeful as "a c**t" and made a lewd remark about another. He later apologised, calling them private conversations.
Nazi Salute Incident: In June 2025, it was reported that Walliams gave Nazi salutes during the recording of a Christmas special for the BBC panel show Would I Lie To You? The incident occurred during a story by his teammate, Helen George. A spokesperson for the production company called the gesture "completely unacceptable in any context."
Legacy of Little Britain: Walliams became a household name alongside Matt Lucas with the hit show Little Britain in 2003. However, in 2020, the show and its successor Come Fly With Me were removed from several streaming platforms, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer, due to their use of blackface and portrayal of minority groups. Both comedians have since apologised, with Lucas stating he "wouldn't make that show now."
Charity Work and Further Scandals
Despite the controversies, Walliams has a significant history of charity work. He completed gruelling challenges like swimming the English Channel and the length of the River Thames for Sport Relief, raising millions. He was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.
Yet, other scandals have emerged. In 2018, he faced criticism for hosting the men-only Presidents Club charity dinner, where hostesses alleged they were groped and harassed. Walliams said he was "appalled" and left before the after-party.
His children's books have also faced criticism. In 2021, a story featuring a Chinese character named Brian Wong was removed from his book The World's Worst Children after accusations it perpetuated harmful stereotypes.
Now, with his publisher gone and a quiet Christmas ahead, the future for the once-ubiquitous comedian and author looks uncertain. The publishing and television worlds, which once embraced his edgy humour, appear to have turned their backs.
