David Walliams dropped from Waterstones Children’s Book Festival
Author and comedian David Walliams has been excluded from next year’s Waterstones Children’s Book Festival amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The news comes after Walliams’ publisher HarperCollins cut ties with the star on Friday. The author vehemently denied the allegations.
A spokesperson for well-known British book chain Waterstones told the BBC: “HarperCollins has confirmed that David Walliams will no longer be attending our festival in Dundee.”
The festival will also cover two other venues: Lincoln and Taunton, where it held its inaugural event earlier this year.
Walliams has now been removed from the list of speakers listed on the festival website.
Writers scheduled to appear include How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell and Tom Gates creator Liz Pichon.
Walliams is one of the UK’s most successful children’s book authors, having sold over 60 million copies in 55 languages worldwide.
HarperCollins published her first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008.
Some of his books have also been adapted into television movies, including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Kid.
He has published more than 40 books in total, including the Christmas book Santa & Son, published by HarperCollins in October.
Two of his books – Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress – have been adapted into TV movies and were shown on CBBC on Sunday.
Walliams is also scheduled to appear on comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? Boxing Day on BBC One.
A spokesman for the BBC said on Friday: “Whilst we will not be making any changes to the festival programmes, we have no future projects that directly involve David Walliams.”
A spokesman for Walliams said he was “never informed of any allegations made against him” by his publisher.
“He was not party to any investigation or given the opportunity to answer questions. David categorically denies acting inappropriately and seeking legal advice,” the spokesman added.
The broadcaster said staff welfare was taken “extremely seriously”, with “processes in place to report and investigate concerns”.
“To respect individuals’ privacy, we do not comment on internal matters,” the company said.
