David Walliams ‘strongly denies’ harassing junior female staff – and claims he was not informed of allegations before being dropped by publisher
David Walliams has ‘strongly denied’ allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women following his departure from his long-time publisher.
The 54-year-old author, one of Britain’s most successful children’s book authors, was accused of ‘harassing’ young female employees at HarperCollins following an investigation that began last year.
A junior colleague is said to have complained about his behavior in 2023, leading to interviews with other staff.
One of the women who raised her concerns allegedly received a five-figure payment and later left the company.
Former employees also said that when they met with him, they were advised to work in pairs and told not to visit his home.
Former Britain’s Got Talent judge Walliams previously came under scrutiny in 2022 for sexist comments she was said to have made while working on the ITV show.
The best-selling children’s book author is now at the center of another scandal, one that has resulted in her termination from HarperCollins, the prestigious firm she signed with when she published her first book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008.
Walliams, who has sold more than 60 million books in 55 languages worldwide, broke his silence, claiming he was unaware of any allegations or investigations before he was dropped.
His spokesman said: ‘David was never made aware of any allegations made against him by HarperCollins. He was not party to any investigation and was not given the opportunity to answer questions. ‘David emphatically denies acting inappropriately and seeking legal advice.’
David Walliams, 54, is accused of ‘harassing’ young female staff at the firm, resulting in one member of staff being offered a five-figure settlement
The children’s author has published more than 40 works, which have been translated into 55 languages and sold more than 60 million copies.
Sources told The Telegraph that the investigation led to several junior staff being kept away from the author and one being paid compensation.
The allegations first emerged in 2023 and led to interviews with staff who worked with Mr Walliams; The investigation reportedly included an in-house lawyer.
A spokesperson for Harper Collins said: ‘After careful consideration and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish new works by David Walliams. The author is aware of this decision.
‘HarperCollins takes the welfare of employees extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns. To respect individuals’ privacy, we do not comment on internal matters.’
The decision to let Walliams go follows the departure of former CEO Charlie Redmayne in October.
More than 40 works of the children’s author, who started writing books in 2008, have been published, translated into 55 languages, and more than 60 million copies have been sold.
Although Mr Walliams was once television royalty, a series of scandals in recent years have forced him out of the limelight.
The comedian left Britain’s Got Talent after disgusting sexual comments he made about female contestants were revealed.
David Walliams and Lara Stone at Hampton Court Palace in 2010. The couple divorced in 2015
Walliams celebrating World Book Day 2023 with his son Alfred
A leaked transcript in 2022 revealed that he called one auditioning contestant a “b**ch” and said of another that “she thinks you want to fuck her but you don’t.”
Comments made during auditions at the London Palladium in January 2020 were captured on the show’s microphones.
Mr Walliams apologized at the time the comments were made public, admitting they were ‘disrespectful’ and added they were part of a private conversation ‘never intended to be shared’.
Although his books remain hits and account for more than 40 percent of Harper Collins’ children’s division’s revenue, he hasn’t fully returned to prime time since.
Simon Cowell, the showbiz giant behind the show, is said to have since gone to great lengths to distance himself from Mr Walliams and the pair “don’t get along at all anymore”.
In June this year, it was reported that the writer made two Nazi salutes during the taping of the Christmas edition of BBC comedy panel show Would I Lie to You?
The comedian apparently made a ‘joking’ bow to Call the Midwife actress Helen George as she told a story from her time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
Presenter Rob Brydon condemned Walliams and reminded him that the show had come out before the turning point.
But as George continued to reveal his Strictly story, Walliams is said to have made the move a second time, this time with a sexual touch.
Walliams’ team captain Lee Mack was said to have appeared unimpressed, while a member of the audience described the greetings coming “weirdly”.
The former Little Britain star is now said to be facing Christmas alone, away from her 12-year-old son Alfred.
He raised Alfred with his ex-wife, Lara Stone, after the couple divorced in 2015 after five years of marriage.
While Mr Walliams remains single, the former Mrs Stone has since found love with her husband of four years, property developer David Grievson.
Her latest social media posts show that she is currently enjoying a holiday in the Maldives.
