Best-selling children’s author and comedian David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins UK, the company said.
A spokesperson for the publisher said: “After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new David Walliams titles.”
The Telegraph reported that the decision was made after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior towards young women.
A spokesman for Walliams said he “strongly denies” allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
“David has never been informed of any allegations brought against him by HarperCollins. He was not involved in any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he behaved inappropriately and is seeking legal advice.”
HarperCollins did not confirm the reasons for its decision, adding: “We do not comment on internal matters.”
Walliams is one of the UK’s most successful children’s authors and has sold over 60 million copies in 55 languages worldwide.
HarperCollins published his first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008.
Some of his books, including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have also been adapted into television movies.
He has published more than 40 books in total, including a Christmas book titled Santa & Son, which was published by HarperCollins in October.
He first rose to fame in the television series Little Britain and also won national television awards for his work as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.
He was appointed OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.
But he has faced controversy, including criticism after appearing to give two Nazi salutes during a taping of the BBC comedy show Would I Lie to You? this summer.
In 2022, he apologized and admitted to making “disrespectful comments” about two Britain’s Got Talent contestants during a break in filming.
He left the show that year and sued the production company for leaking the comments, reaching an agreement with them in 2023.
HarperCollins UK appointed Kate Elton as its new chief executive in October.
