A spokesperson for David Walliams stated the author has "never been informed of any allegations raised against him" by his publisher, HarperCollins UK. The denial comes in light of reports from The Telegraph, which suggest the decision not to release any more of Walliams' books follows allegations of inappropriate behavior towards young women. However, HarperCollins did not confirm the precise reasons for its decision.
The publisher, citing leadership changes under new CEO Kate Elton, announced its choice "after careful consideration." A HarperCollins representative emphasized the company’s strong commitment to employee wellbeing, asserting that they have "processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns," although they did not provide comments on internal matters.
Walliams, a successful children's author with over 60 million copies sold globally in 55 languages, expressed he was neither involved in any investigation nor provided an opportunity to respond to any charges. "David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice," his spokesperson added.
Aside from his literary achievements, Walliams is well-known for his work in television, from the sketch comedy series 'Little Britain' to judging on 'Britain's Got Talent,' for which he has won multiple National Television Awards. His past controversies include criticism for making Nazi salutes during a BBC panel show and disrespectful remarks about talent show contestants, which he later apologized for.
Walliams's OBE recognition in 2017 underscores his impact on charity and the arts. HarperCollins initially published his debut children's book, 'The Boy in the Dress,' in 2008, with several titles like 'Gangsta Granny' and 'Billionaire Boy' translated into TV adaptations. The publisher released his recent work, 'Santa & Son,' in October.