Publishing giant HarperCollins has severed all remaining ties with author and comedian David Walliams, announcing that it will no longer publish any books written by the former Little Britain star. The move, which was confirmed on Friday, represents a significant escalation from the publisher’s previous position, effectively ending a long-standing and highly lucrative professional partnership.
The announcement came to light during an afternoon broadcast on Sky News, where presenter Samantha Washington interrupted scheduled programming to deliver the breaking update. Washington confirmed that HarperCollins has gone beyond its initial decision to stop releasing new titles, confirming that it is now phasing out the author’s entire backlist. This process will see his vast collection of children’s literature, including e-books and audio versions, gradually removed from retailers and digital platforms.
For over a decade, Walliams was one of HarperCollins’ most successful authors, having sold more than 60 million copies of his work worldwide since his debut, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. His bibliography, which includes bestsellers such as Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, and Ratburger, has been a staple of the children’s publishing market. As of Friday, the author’s dedicated page and all 23 of his titles have been removed from the HarperCollins website.
The decision follows a period of intense scrutiny surrounding the comedian’s conduct. In December, reports surfaced that a complaint from a junior colleague had prompted an internal investigation at the publishing house. According to reports from The Telegraph, former employees alleged that they were advised to work in pairs during meetings with the author and discouraged from visiting his home. While HarperCollins has maintained that it does not comment on internal matters due to privacy concerns, the publisher previously noted that it takes the “wellbeing” of its staff “extremely seriously.”
In response to the developments, a spokesperson for David Walliams issued a firm rebuttal, emphasizing that the author maintains his innocence. “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins,” the statement read. “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.”
The termination of the relationship marks a definitive end to one of the most prolific collaborations in modern British children’s literature. While Walliams’ books have been adapted into numerous successful television specials, the removal of his works from the HarperCollins catalog suggests a permanent shift in his relationship with the publishing industry. Representatives for both HarperCollins and Walliams have been contacted for further comment as the literary world processes the news of the fallout.
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