The publisher confirms it will stop selling all titles by the children's author following claims of inappropriate behavior
Category: Arts & Culture
HarperCollins has confirmed that it will phase out all copies of David Walliams' books, effectively removing his entire back catalogue from circulation. This decision follows the publisher's announcement in December 2025 that it would no longer publish new titles by the popular children's author after allegations of inappropriate behavior surfaced.
The publisher stated that it would gradually withdraw remaining stock from bookstores, along with e-book and audiobook editions. Walliams, who has authored 23 children’s books since his debut with *The Boy in the Dress* in 2008, has seen his works sell over 60 million copies worldwide, with several titles adapted for television.
HarperCollins dropped Walliams after an internal investigation was prompted by a complaint from a junior colleague concerning his conduct. Reports indicated that staff members were advised to avoid visiting his home and to work in pairs when meeting him. A spokesperson for HarperCollins emphasized the company’s commitment to employee wellbeing and stated, "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." The firm has not publicly confirmed the specific reasons behind its decision to sever ties with Walliams.
Walliams first gained fame alongside comedian Matt Lucas through the BBC sketch shows *Little Britain* and *Come Fly with Me*. His transition to children's literature was marked by the publication of his first book in 2008, which quickly led to a successful career as an author. His titles, including *Mr Stink*, *Gangsta Granny*, and *Ratburger*, have not only achieved commercial success but have also been adapted into various television formats, enhancing his profile as a children's entertainer.
In December 2025, after considering the allegations against Walliams, HarperCollins announced it would not publish any new works by him. This decision came after an internal inquiry into the complaints made by a staff member. The inquiry reportedly involved interviews with other employees, leading to concerns about Walliams' behavior.
Walliams has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that he was never informed of any claims against him nor was he afforded an opportunity to respond to the accusations. A spokesperson for Walliams stated, "David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. He was not party to any investigation or gave any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice." This denial has been a central theme in Walliams' public response to the situation.
As HarperCollins begins to phase out Walliams' backlist, the future of his works remains uncertain. The publisher confirmed that existing stock in stores will be gradually reduced, and digital formats will also be withdrawn in due course. This decision marks a notable shift for Walliams, who had previously been one of the UK’s highest-earning authors, with estimates of his commercial value reaching £100 million by 2019.
In addition to the publishing fallout, Walliams' reputation has faced scrutiny in light of his past. Following the allegations, he was removed from the line-up of the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival, indicating a broader impact on his public engagements. The author had also faced controversy in the past, particularly during his tenure as a judge on *Britain's Got Talent*, where he left the show after a leaked transcript revealed inappropriate comments made about contestants.
Walliams settled a lawsuit against the production company FremantleMedia in November 2023 concerning the leak of these comments, which he described as part of a private conversation that was never intended to be shared. As of now, Walliams remains a figure of interest in both the literary and entertainment worlds, but the implications of the allegations against him may continue to affect his career.
Walliams’ case raises important discussions about accountability and behavior in the entertainment industry, especially concerning allegations of misconduct. As the situation develops, it is uncertain how both Walliams and HarperCollins will navigate the aftermath of this controversy.
With HarperCollins' decision to cease all sales of Walliams’ books, the author faces a future where his literary contributions may become increasingly difficult to access. As of September 2026, the remaining copies of his books will be gradually phased out, signaling a dramatic end to a once-thriving partnership.