David Walliams’ allegations have brought renewed attention to the British comedian, television personality and bestselling children’s author. The controversy began attracting widespread media coverage in December 2025, when HarperCollins UK announced that it would no longer publish new books by Walliams. In September 2026, the publisher confirmed that it would also stop publishing his existing back catalogue.
Walliams has strongly denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour. His spokesperson previously said he had not been informed of the allegations raised with the publisher, had not taken part in its investigation and had not been given an opportunity to answer questions. He also said he was taking legal advice. These distinctions matter when assessing the story.
This article explains what has been reported, what Walliams has said in response, why the publisher’s decision matters and how the controversy relates to his wider career.
David Walliams Allegations: What Happened?
The controversy became public in December 2025 after The Telegraph reported allegations concerning Walliams’s conduct towards female employees at HarperCollins, his former publisher. According to reports, a junior employee raised concerns, prompting an internal investigation by the publishing company.
Media reports also described alleged workplace precautions and a settlement involving one employee. HarperCollins did not publicly discuss the details of its internal process, citing the privacy of individuals.
The publisher subsequently announced that it would not release any new titles by Walliams. It said the decision followed careful consideration and reiterated its commitment to employee wellbeing and procedures for reporting concerns.
Walliams responded through a spokesperson, who said the author strongly denied behaving inappropriately. His representative also stated that Walliams had not been informed of the allegations raised with HarperCollins and had not been involved in its investigation.
It is important to distinguish between allegations reported by the media, statements from the publisher and Walliams’s denial. The publisher’s decision does not, by itself, establish that every reported allegation is true.
What Is the Latest News About David Walliams in 2026?
The most significant development came on 18 September 2026, when reports confirmed that HarperCollins would stop publishing Walliams’s existing books as well as declining to release new titles.
The decision affects his back catalogue across print, electronic and audio formats. Existing copies may remain available while retailers sell their stock, but the publisher plans to phase out its titles.
According to reporting by The Independent and the publishing trade publication The Bookseller, HarperCollins had previously published 23 of Walliams’s children’s books, alongside picture books and short-story collections. His books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.
The September announcement marked a further change in the relationship between the author and publisher. However, it does not mean that every copy has disappeared from shops or that another publisher could never acquire rights to the books. The future availability of individual titles depends on publishing arrangements and stock.
Readers looking for updates should rely on confirmed statements and reputable reporting rather than unverified social media claims.
What Allegations Were Reported Against David Walliams?
Reports published in December 2025 described allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women connected with HarperCollins. The Telegraph reported that a junior employee had raised concerns and that the publisher had conducted an internal inquiry.
Other details published in the media concerned alleged workplace precautions and a financial settlement. HarperCollins has not publicly confirmed every reported detail of its internal process.
Walliams’s representative strongly denied the allegations and said he had not been informed of them by the publisher. The spokesperson also said he had not participated in the investigation or been given an opportunity to answer questions.
These are serious claims, so accurate language is essential. The allegations should not be presented as proven facts unless supported by an appropriate legal finding or reliable evidence. Equally, the author’s denial should be included when explaining the dispute.
The publicly reported publisher decision is clear. The full details of the internal process, however, have not been made public by HarperCollins.
Why Did HarperCollins Stop Publishing David Walliams?
HarperCollins first announced in December 2025 that it would not publish new books by Walliams. The announcement followed media reports about allegations concerning his conduct towards female employees.
The publisher said it had made the decision after careful consideration. It also stated that it takes employee wellbeing seriously and has procedures for reporting and investigating concerns.
In September 2026, the company confirmed that it would no longer publish his backlist. This extended the decision beyond future books to titles already released under its publishing relationship with the author.
The move has attracted attention because Walliams was one of Britain’s most commercially successful children’s writers. His books reached a large international audience and several received television adaptations.
The publisher has not publicly provided a detailed account of its internal deliberations. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe the decisions and the reported context than to claim knowledge of every factor behind them.
Have David Walliams’s Books Been Banned?
No general legal ban on Walliams’s books has been established by the publisher’s decision. HarperCollins has confirmed that it will stop publishing his back catalogue, but this is a publishing decision rather than a blanket legal prohibition.
Existing printed copies may still be found in bookshops, libraries, second-hand shops and private collections. Availability will vary by title and retailer. Electronic and audio editions may also become less available as the publisher phases out its catalogue.
The distinction between a publisher withdrawing its own titles and a legal ban is important. The September 2026 announcement concerns HarperCollins’s publishing arrangements; it does not automatically prevent every other bookseller or library from holding copies.
Readers seeking a particular title should check current retailer listings or library catalogues. Availability may change as existing stock runs down and rights arrangements develop.
Which David Walliams Books Are Best Known?
Despite the controversy, Walliams’s books remain a significant part of his professional history. He began publishing children’s fiction with The Boy in the Dress in 2008 and went on to release a range of comic adventures for young readers.
Some of his best-known titles include:
- The Boy in the Dress — his debut children’s novel, which explores identity, friendship and challenging expectations.
- Mr Stink — a story about a girl who befriends a homeless man and learns more about the people around her.
- Billionaire Boy — a comedy about a wealthy boy who discovers that money cannot solve every problem.
- Gangsta Granny — a popular adventure about a boy who learns a surprising secret about his grandmother.
- Ratburger — a comic story featuring a girl facing difficult circumstances.
- Demon Dentist — a fantasy adventure that combines humour with a spooky setting.
- Awful Auntie — a mystery involving a young girl and a difficult family situation.
- Fing — a humorous story centred on a child whose unusual wish leads to unexpected consequences.
Several titles have been adapted for television, helping introduce his stories to audiences beyond readers. The future availability of these books may vary as HarperCollins phases out its editions.
What Happened to David Walliams on Britain’s Got Talent?
The publishing controversy is separate from an earlier incident involving Britain’s Got Talent. Walliams served as a judge on the ITV programme from 2012 until 2022.
In 2022, The Guardian reported on a leaked transcript of remarks he made about contestants during filming breaks in 2020. Walliams apologised for the comments, describing them as disrespectful and saying they were part of a private conversation that was never intended to be shared.
He subsequently pursued legal action against the programme’s production company over the disclosure of the remarks. The dispute reached a settlement in 2023.
This earlier episode is relevant to coverage of his public career, but it should not be confused with the later allegations reported in connection with HarperCollins. They are separate matters with different circumstances.
How Have the Allegations Affected David Walliams’s Career?
The most concrete professional consequence is HarperCollins’s decision to end its publishing relationship with Walliams. The company first stopped commissioning new titles and later confirmed that it would phase out his back catalogue.
The controversy also affected a public appearance opportunity. In December 2025, reports said Walliams had been removed from the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival line-up.
His career has included television comedy, acting, presenting, judging talent competitions and writing children’s fiction. The publisher’s decision is particularly significant because his books had achieved substantial international sales.
However, the longer-term impact on his career remains uncertain. Future developments may depend on public response, professional opportunities, publishing rights and any further confirmed statements from the people or organisations involved.
It would be premature to claim that every aspect of his career has ended or that all retailers have withdrawn his work. Any assessment should reflect confirmed developments rather than speculation.
Who Is David Walliams?
David Walliams, whose full name is David Edward Williams, is an English comedian, actor, television personality and children’s author. He was born on 20 August 1971 and became widely known through his comedy partnership with Matt Lucas.
The pair co-created and starred in BBC sketch shows including Little Britain and Come Fly with Me. Walliams later became familiar to television audiences as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, where he appeared for a decade.
He built a second major career as a children’s author after publishing The Boy in the Dress in 2008. His subsequent books achieved considerable commercial success, with more than 60 million copies reportedly sold worldwide.
Walliams received an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts, including his fundraising work. His professional achievements and the recent controversy are both part of the public record, but they should be discussed accurately and in context.
(FAQs)
What are the David Walliams allegations about?
Media reports published in December 2025 described allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female employees connected with HarperCollins. Walliams strongly denied the allegations through his spokesperson.
What is the latest David Walliams news in 2026?
In September 2026, HarperCollins confirmed that it would stop publishing Walliams’s back catalogue. The publisher had already announced in December 2025 that it would not publish new titles by him.
Has David Walliams admitted to the allegations?
Walliams has not admitted to the reported allegations. His spokesperson strongly denied inappropriate behaviour and said he had not been informed of the allegations raised with HarperCollins.
Has David Walliams been convicted of an offence relating to these allegations?
The publisher’s decision and the media reports described above do not establish a criminal conviction. Readers should consult reliable reporting and official legal records before accepting claims about any legal outcome.
Are David Walliams’s books banned in the UK?
There is no general legal ban established by HarperCollins’s announcement. The publisher is phasing out its own back catalogue, although existing copies may remain available through retailers, libraries and second-hand sellers.
Why has HarperCollins dropped David Walliams’s books?
HarperCollins first announced that it would not publish new titles in December 2025, after reports about allegations concerning his conduct. In September 2026, it confirmed that it would also stop publishing his backlist. The company has not publicly detailed every aspect of its internal decision-making.
Is David Walliams still associated with Britain’s Got Talent?
Walliams left Britain’s Got Talent in 2022 after leaked remarks about contestants became public. He apologised for the comments, and a later legal dispute with the production company was settled in 2023.
What are David Walliams’s most famous books?
His best-known titles include The Boy in the Dress, Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, Gangsta Granny, Ratburger, Demon Dentist and Awful Auntie. Several of his books have received television adaptations.
How many books has David Walliams sold?
Published reports have stated that his books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. The figure reflects his success as a children’s author before HarperCollins announced that it would phase out his catalogue.
Where can readers find reliable updates?
Readers should check established news organisations, official statements from HarperCollins and any direct response from Walliams or his representatives. Social media posts should be treated cautiously when they make claims that reliable sources have not verified.
Final Thoughts
The story surrounding Walliams has developed in stages. HarperCollins first announced that it would no longer publish new books by the author in December 2025. In September 2026, it confirmed that it would also stop publishing his back catalogue.
Walliams has strongly denied the reported allegations, and that response remains an important part of any balanced account. The publisher’s commercial decision should not be confused with a legal finding, while unverified claims should not be presented as established facts.
For readers following the story, the clearest approach is to separate confirmed publishing developments, reported allegations and the author’s response. Further updates should be added only when credible sources establish new information.