David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The author has not responded to allegations that he “harassed” junior women during his time working with the company.
According to The Telegraph, a female employee who raised concerns about Mr Walliams’ conduct later left HarperCollins after reaching a settlement which included a five-figure payment.
The publisher reportedly launched an internal inquiry in 2023 after a complaint was made, interviewing multiple staff members who had professional contact with the author.
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David Walliams had worked with the publisher since 2008
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GB News approached the author for comment.
It is understood Mr Walliams was not informed the investigation was underway and was never formally presented with its findings.
The inquiry concluded in 2024, after which HarperCollins implemented measures to limit certain employees’ contact with the writer.
Sources told The Telegraph that junior staff were deliberately kept at a distance from Mr Walliams following the investigation.
Sources say a female employee raised concerns about Mr Walliams’ conduct
| GettyFormer employees also claimed precautionary protocols were introduced when dealing with the Little Britain star.
Staff were reportedly instructed to attend meetings with Mr Walliams in pairs rather than alone.
Employees were also advised not to travel unaccompanied to the author’s home.
These measures were put in place despite Mr Walliams’ commercial importance to the business.
His books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide
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In 2018, he accounted for an estimated 44 per cent of HarperCollins’ UK children’s book sales, according to industry publications.
Mr Walliams had worked with the publisher since 2008 and became one of its most lucrative authors.
A spokesperson from HarperCollins told GB News "After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams."
In a further statement, a spokesperson for HarperCollins told The Telegraph: “After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams. The author is aware of this decision.
“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 decision follows a leadership change at the Rupert Murdoch-owned publisher, with Kate Elton appointed interim chief executive after Charlie Redmayne’s departure in October.
Mr Walliams has been informed that his publishing relationship with HarperCollins has come to an end.
The comedian rose to fame more than two decades ago as one half of the duo behind Little Britain before reinventing himself as a bestselling children’s author.
David Walliams
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His books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, generating an estimated £100 million in revenue by 2019.
However, his popularity has waned in recent years, with summer sales reportedly falling by more than 60 per cent, according to The Bookseller.
His television career also suffered a setback in 2022 after recordings emerged of him making obscene remarks about contestants during Britain’s Got Talent auditions.
Mr Walliams later left the programme after apologising for what he described as “disrespectful comments” made during private conversations.