Sky News programming came to an abrupt halt this afternoon as presenter Samantha Washington delivered a major breaking news alert concerning author and comedian David Walliams. In a significant escalation of the ongoing fallout surrounding the former Britain’s Got Talent star, publisher HarperCollins has confirmed it will no longer publish any books written by Walliams.
The announcement marks a severe departure from the publisher’s previous stance. While HarperCollins had previously declared it would stop releasing new titles by the author following reports of inappropriate conduct, they have now confirmed that the entirety of his backlist is being removed. This decision means that not only are new projects off the table, but existing works—including digital and audio editions—are being systematically withdrawn from sale.
“HarperCollins has now confirmed it will no longer publish any books that have been authored by David Walliams,” Washington told viewers during the live bulletin. “They have gone further than saying that they will stop releasing new books; they will no longer publish any books authored by David Walliams.”
The publishing giant has issued all 23 of Walliams’s children’s titles since his 2008 debut, The Boy in the Dress. His extensive portfolio, which includes household names like Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, and Ratburger, has collectively sold over 60 million copies worldwide. Reports indicate that these titles, along with the author’s official profile, have already been scrubbed from the HarperCollins website.
The move follows a series of allegations regarding the comedian’s behavior toward colleagues. Reports published in The Telegraph last year alleged that a complaint from a junior staff member regarding Walliams’s conduct triggered an internal investigation, with other employees reportedly claiming they were advised to exercise caution when meeting him.
In response to the developments, a spokesperson for David Walliams has maintained a firm stance, reiterating that the comedian vehemently denies all allegations. At the time the initial reports surfaced, his representatives stated: “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 action.”
HarperCollins has maintained a policy of discretion regarding the situation. A representative for the publisher previously 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.”
As the publishing house proceeds with the removal of his works, the future of the comedian’s literary legacy remains in question, with the latest development representing a near-total severance of ties between the author and his long-time publisher.
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