David Walliams was DROPPED as an ambassador for leading children’s charity – as he now faces harassment allegations
David Walliams was sacked as ambassador for the leading children’s charity at the beginning of the year after it was revealed he was now facing ‘harassment’ allegations.
The Children’s Trust announced the TV star and children’s author as its new celebrity endorser in January 2018, joining the likes of singer Dame Elaine Paige and actress Joely Richardson.
But today the charity’s spokesperson He told the Mail: ‘David Walliams is no longer an ambassador for The Children’s Trust following a review of our ambassador program at the beginning of the year.’
‘He has not been actively involved with The Children’s Trust for a number of years. Following the review, we wrote to him a few months ago informing him that we would be updating our ambassador’s website to remove his details.’
It comes after the 54-year-old comedian was sacked by his publisher HarperCollins following allegations of inappropriate behavior towards female staff.
It is alleged that he harassed a female employee at the publishing house and later walked away with a five-figure settlement.
Walliams was not informed of the allegations at the time and denied any wrongdoing.
Walliams had a photo of Dame Elaine on The Children’s Trust website showing her holding her dog Bert while visiting the charity’s headquarters in 2018.
Walliams has supported The Children’s Trust, which focuses on children with brain injuries and neurological disabilities, for several years and pops in to read to children on Christmas Day.
David Walliamsha has been removed as ambassador of leading children’s charity over ‘harassment’ allegations against comic book star
Children’s Trust announced TV star and children’s book author as its new celebrity endorser in January 2018
After accepting the role, she said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be an ambassador for The Children’s Trust. It’s a charity I care deeply about and every time I visit I am amazed by its warm, caring atmosphere and the dedication of its staff.’
‘The Children’s Foundation is a very special place with incredibly inspiring young people. I’m very proud to be participating.’
Yıldız was appointed OBE in 2007 for his services to charity and the arts.
He raised more than £1 million for Sport Relief by swimming the English Channel in 2006 and became Patron of Junior Cardiac Risk in the same year.
He swam 12 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar in 2008 and 140 miles of the River Thames in 2011 for Sport Relief.
This isn’t the only blow to the Little Britain star; Following the allegations, Walliams also withdrew from the Waterstones children’s book festival.
The comedian-turned-writer will no longer attend the bookstore’s annual children’s festival in February, and Waterstones confirmed his sacking on Sunday.
He was due to appear at the Dundee stop of the Waterstones festival on 7 February; he was scheduled to host an hour-long talk here and the Q&A was described as ‘a family event with David Walliams’.
Over the weekend, customers trying to purchase tickets online reported error messages appearing when they tried to book the event.
Waterstones later confirmed Walliams would no longer be involved. A spokesman for the chain said: ‘HarperCollins has confirmed that David Walliams will no longer be attending our festival in Dundee.’
His name has since been removed from the festival’s speaker list.
This isn’t the only blow to the Little Britain star; Walliams withdrew from Waterstones children’s book festival following allegations
On its website, Waterstones says the children’s book festival brings together ‘bestselling and beloved children’s authors’ for a ‘family-friendly celebration’.
The retailer also appears to have changed the way Walliams’ books are presented in stores.
His books were still on sale at the Victoria branch in London, but a promotional card describing him as ‘the author of funny children’s books with ridiculous voices’ was removed at the weekend.
Following the allegations, it was reported that many independent bookstores in England removed their books from exhibitions.
The BBC said it had severed ties with Walliams, confirming there were “no projects that directly involve him in the future”. However, on Sunday, adaptations of the children’s books Mr. Stink and The Boy in the Dress were released.
