The BBC has confirmed it has no plans to work with David Walliams in future, effectively severing ties with the comedian and author after his publisher, HarperCollins, dropped him amid allegations of harassment and inappropriate behaviour towards female staff.
HarperCollins announced this week that it would no longer publish Walliams’ work following an internal investigation into complaints first raised in 2023. The decision marks a major turning point for the 54-year-old, whose prospects of a prime-time return now appear increasingly remote.
Walliams has strongly denied all allegations.
Publisher Investigation and Fallout
According to reports, a junior HarperCollins employee lodged a formal complaint last year, triggering an internal inquiry that included interviews with multiple staff members and oversight from an in-house lawyer. One woman who raised concerns is said to have received a five-figure settlement and has since left the company.
In a statement, HarperCollins said that under its new leadership it had decided not to release any further titles by Walliams, stressing its commitment to staff wellbeing and robust internal reporting procedures. The publisher declined to comment further, citing confidentiality.
BBC Distances Itself
Following HarperCollins’ decision, the BBC confirmed it has no future projects planned involving Walliams. While some previously recorded programmes featuring him are still scheduled for broadcast — including adaptations of Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress, and a Boxing Day episode of Would I Lie To You? — the corporation has made clear that no new collaborations are under consideration.
Walliams’ appearance on Would I Lie To You? has itself attracted criticism, with reports alleging he performed Nazi salutes during filming — behaviour that reportedly drew concern from both co-stars and producers.
A Pattern of Controversy
The latest developments add to a series of controversies that have followed Walliams in recent years. He stepped down as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent after footage surfaced of sexualised remarks made about female contestants. He later brought legal action against production company Fremantle over the misuse of private information, reportedly reaching a settlement of around £5 million.
Industry insiders have also claimed that ITV executives raised concerns about his conduct behind the scenes, while his long-standing relationship with Britain’s Got Talent creator Simon Cowell is said to have deteriorated significantly.
A Literary Empire Under Strain
Once one of the UK’s most commercially successful children’s authors, Walliams has sold more than 60 million books worldwide across more than 40 titles, translated into 55 languages. Several have been adapted for television and stage.
However, reports suggest his book sales have fallen by more than 60 per cent this year — a sharp reversal for an author who dominated children’s bestseller lists for over a decade.
Public Silence, Private Escape
As the allegations resurfaced in recent days, Walliams has been spending time in the Maldives, sharing Instagram footage of scuba diving, swimming and relaxing at the luxury Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa resort, where villas reportedly cost over $6,000 per night.
He is spending Christmas apart from his 12-year-old son Alfred, whom he shares with ex-wife Lara Stone. The pair divorced in 2015; Stone has since remarried.
A spokesperson for Walliams said he “was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions,” adding that he “strongly denies behaving inappropriately and is seeking legal advice.”
An Uncertain Future
With both his publisher and the BBC now stepping away, the situation represents a significant blow to Walliams’ public standing — raising serious questions about his future in both broadcasting and publishing.
While he continues to deny wrongdoing, the combined weight of institutional decisions suggests that, for now, the door to a mainstream comeback has firmly closed.
