Downcast David Walliams arrives at his theatre show in first public appearance since being dropped by publisher and children’s charity over claims he harassed young women
David Walliams looked upset as he arrived at a children’s event promising “lots of Walliams-style mischief” in his first public appearance since his fall from grace last month.
The 54-year-old children’s book author resurfaced on Saturday, just weeks after he was fired by his publisher HarperCollins following allegations that he harassed employees at the firm.
Putting on a brave face, Walliams arrived at the Circle & Star Theater in Hampstead, London, but looked visibly shaken as she struggled to find the stage door.
Dressed in jeans and a dark bomber jacket, he said only a quiet ‘hello’ to the Daily Mail and made no comment when asked when he might return to television or how he was feeling after several weeks of bruising.
This was in stark contrast to his eccentric television persona. Friends told the Daily Mail this week that ‘it hasn’t been the easiest time for him lately’.
Walliams’ event is billed as a ‘joyful storytelling adventure for children and families’, featuring readings, audience interaction and the former TV star’s trademark mischief.
David Walliams looked upset as he arrived at a children’s event promising “lots of Walliams-style mischief” in his first public appearance since his fall from grace last month
The 54-year-old children’s book author resurfaced on Saturday, just weeks after he was fired by his publisher HarperCollins following allegations that he harassed the company’s employees.
But with the author temporarily thrust back into the spotlight, the silent participation told its own story.
One attendee waiting to get in questioned whether it was possible to separate the scandal surrounding the author from his work.
‘His children’s books are amazing but I don’t know, I think it’s very difficult after the allegations happened,’ he said. ‘It’s really hard not to know, and once you know, it’s really hard not to think.’
The statement comes after former employees of HarperCollins said they were advised to work in pairs and not go to Walliams’ home when working with her.
One of the women who raised her concerns allegedly received a five-figure payment and later left the company.
In December, The Children’s Trust confirmed that the Little Britain actor had been stood down as the charity’s ambassador in early 2025.
Meanwhile, the BBC has said it has “no future projects” despite rejecting Walliams from appearing in the Would I Lie to You Christmas special.
The episode marked a dramatic decline for Walliams, who was one of Britain’s most successful children’s book authors, selling more than 60 million copies in 55 languages and a household name on television.
Putting on a brave face, Walliams arrived at the Circle & Star Theater in Hampstead, London, but looked visibly shaken as she struggled to find the stage door.
Dressed in jeans and a dark bomber jacket, he said only a quiet ‘hello’ to the Daily Mail and made no comment when asked when he might return to television or how he was feeling after several weeks of bruising.
This was in stark contrast to his eccentric television persona. Friends told the Daily Mail this week that ‘it hasn’t been the easiest time for him lately’
Walliams’ event is billed as ‘a fun storytelling adventure for children and families’, featuring readings, audience interaction and the former TV star’s trademark mischief
But the silent participation told its own story as the author temporarily returned to the spotlight
HarperCollins published her first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008; His other books, such as Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have also been adapted into television movies.
When the news broke last month, there was relief in the showbiz and television world that Walliams was ‘totally underrated’, with the Daily Mail told.
A source said: ‘Finally someone said it. It’s no longer a secret that he’s not a very good person.’
But despite the best efforts of people trying to protect him, Walliams’ behavior has become one of the biggest open secrets in the industry. For example, a former employee of Britain’s Got Talent told the Daily Mail that Walliams was ‘horribly rude’ to her while she was working there.
As everyone knows, Walliams threw shade at BGT in November 2022 after audio emerged of her making derogatory remarks about contestants off camera.
The microphones had caught him using disgusting misogynistic language; he described a woman as ‘like that slightly boring girl you met at the bar who thinks you want to fuck them but you don’t’.
Although Walliams publicly apologized, the production company sued Fremantle for misuse of private information and breaches of data laws. The company apologized and Walliams is thought to have left with around £5 million.
