The BBC appears to have officially severed ties with David Walliams following his publisher’s decision to drop him amid claims of harassment and inappropriate behaviour towards female staff. HarperCollins confirmed it will no longer publish the comedian and children’s author’s works after an internal investigation into accusations first emerging in 2023. Now, the broadcaster has announced it has no plans to involve Walliams in future projects, marking another major setback for any hopes of a prime-time comeback for the former Little Britain star.
Walliams, 54, has denied all allegations. Despite the storm surrounding him, he is reportedly enjoying a pre-Christmas getaway in the Maldives with his 12-year-old son, Alfred. While he relaxes in the sun and posts Instagram clips of scuba diving, swimming, and enjoying afternoon tea at the luxury Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, claims about his alleged misconduct were revealed, detailing harassment at HarperCollins. One junior colleague reportedly lodged a complaint in 2023, triggering interviews with other staff and an internal inquiry, including input from an in-house lawyer. One woman who raised concerns reportedly received a five-figure settlement and has since left the company.
The controversy adds to a series of scandals that have shadowed Walliams in recent years. The comedian, once a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, left the show after sexualised comments about female contestants were exposed, and later sued the production company Fremantle for misuse of private information, reportedly settling for around £5 million. Insiders have also noted that ITV bosses raised concerns about his behaviour, including inviting fans to his dressing room and distributing cupcakes, and his relationship with Simon Cowell is said to have cooled significantly, with the pair reportedly no longer speaking.
HarperCollins explained that under its new leadership, the publisher decided not to release any new titles by Walliams, emphasizing employee wellbeing and internal processes for reporting concerns, while declining to comment further for privacy reasons. Walliams, a prolific children’s author, has sold over 60 million copies across 40+ books translated into 55 languages, with several adapted for television, including Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink, and The Boy in the Dress. Despite his literary success, his book sales have reportedly declined by over 60% this year.
The BBC is set to broadcast adaptations of Walliams’ works, including Mr Stink on CBBC and The Boy in the Dress, as well as a Boxing Day special of Would I Lie To You? featuring him as a panellist. However, Walliams’ participation has also been controversial; during filming he reportedly performed two Nazi salutes, drawing criticism from co-stars and producers, including host Rob Brydon.
The comedian is currently spending Christmas apart from his son Alfred, whom he co-parents with ex-wife Lara Stone after their 2015 divorce. While Walliams remains single, Stone has since remarried. Recent Instagram posts show him enjoying resort life in the Maldives, from floating in the pool to diving with turtles, describing the location as “floating in heaven” and “complete and utter perfection,” while villas reportedly cost over $6,100 per night.
A spokesperson for Walliams denied any wrongdoing, stating that he “was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions” and that he “strongly denies behaving inappropriately and is seeking legal advice.” The situation represents a significant blow to the comedian’s public image, raising questions about his future both in broadcasting and publishing.
