Overview
- HarperCollins confirmed Friday that it will stop publishing David Walliams’s backlist and will gradually phase out remaining print, ebook and audio editions and online listings.
- Walliams strongly denies wrongdoing, says he was never told of any allegations or shown investigation findings, and is taking legal advice.
- The move affects 23 children’s books that have sold about 60 million copies worldwide and include multiple TV adaptations, making the withdrawal a major commercial step.
- The publisher opened an internal inquiry after a junior employee complaint, staff were reportedly told to work in pairs with the author, and HarperCollins had already said in December 2025 it would not publish new titles by him.
- Deadline reporting says talent agency YMU is no longer actively representing Walliams, and the removals could prompt further cancellations of appearances and licensing while questions about the investigation’s findings remain unresolved.