Comedian and children's author David Walliams has faced a dramatic shift in audience size, performing for a modest crowd of 48 at a weekend event, a far cry from the millions who once watched his live shows.
From Arenas to a Pub Theatre
The former Britain's Got Talent judge, 54, hosted a 'storytelling adventure for kids and families' at the Circle & Star theatre, located above the Horseshoe pub in Hampstead, north London. This intimate gathering stands in stark contrast to his previous career heights, where his Little Britain Live stage show with Matt Lucas played to over one million fans in 21,000-seater venues.
Arriving at the venue, Walliams, dressed casually in jeans and a bomber jacket, appeared to have difficulty finding the stage door. He offered no comment to the Daily Mail when asked about his state of mind after what has been a bruising period.
A Fall from Grace and Legal Disputes
The scaled-down performance follows the author's significant professional setback. In December, his long-time publisher HarperCollins announced it would not publish any new titles by Walliams. This decision came after allegations surfaced that he had harassed employees at the firm.
However, Walliams has strongly contested the process. A spokesperson stated he "has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins" and was not part of any investigation or given a chance to respond. The author firmly denies behaving inappropriately and is reportedly taking legal advice.
HarperCollins, under its new CEO, said it took employee wellbeing extremely seriously but would not comment on internal matters. The publisher's move has cast a shadow over Walliams's highly successful literary career. He has published over 40 children's books, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide, with hits like Gangsta Granny adapted for BBC television and stage.
Public Perception and Past Controversies
The scandal is affecting how some view his work. One attendee at the Hampstead event told the Daily Mail, "His kids' books are fabulous, but I don't know, I think it's very difficult once there's been allegations."
This is not Walliams's first recent controversy. He left Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after apologising for making disrespectful comments about contestants during filming breaks in 2020. In 2023, he reached an "amicable resolution" with producer Fremantle after suing them for misuse of private information when those remarks were leaked.
Earlier this year, further allegations emerged that he made Nazi salutes while recording the BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?. These incidents mark a challenging chapter for the performer, who was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.
The intimate storytelling session in Hampstead underscores a pivotal moment for David Walliams, as he navigates the complex fallout from the publishing scandal while attempting to maintain his connection with his family audience.
