HarperCollins axes David Walliams' entire back catalogue over claims he 'harassed' young female staff

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

HarperCollins is to phase out all 23 of David Walliams' children's books from shops and remove ebook and audiobook versions after dropping his entire back catalogue, following allegations he harassed junior female employees. The publisher had previously stopped commissioning new titles but had continued selling his existing work, which includes Gangsta Granny and The Boy in the Dress. Walliams, 55, strongly denies all allegations and says he was never informed of any investigation or given a chance to respond.

One woman who raised concerns reportedly received a five-figure payoff and left HarperCollins, while staff were told to work in 'pairs' when meeting Walliams.

Walliams' books have reached global sales of over 60 million copies, with he and HarperCollins estimated to have shifted £100m worth of books by 2019.

Walliams departed Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after crude remarks he made about contestants were exposed, then sued makers Fremantle and secured a payout.