Bestselling Author David Walliams Dropped by Publisher Amid Harassment Allegations

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Renowned British children's author David Walliams has been dropped by HarperCollins UK following an investigation into allegations of harassment against some of the publisher's junior female employees. The 54-year-old author, known for his bestsellers such as "The Boy in the Dress" and "Billionaire Boy," has denied the allegations, stating that he had not been informed of the claims and was not given the opportunity to respond. According to sources, HarperCollins UK's investigation led to some junior staff being kept away from Walliams, and one of the women who raised concerns was given a five-figure payout and left the company. The publisher has taken employee well-being seriously, but has declined to comment on internal matters to respect individuals' privacy. Walliams, who has sold over 60 million books translated into 55 languages, has been a successful author and television personality, having found fame alongside Matt Lucas in the early 2000s with shows like "Little Britain." He also served as a judge on the television talent show "Britain's Got Talent" from 2012 to 2022. The decision to drop Walliams comes under the leadership of HarperCollins UK's new CEO, Kate Elton, who took over in October after Charlie Redmayne's departure. The publisher has announced that it will not publish any new titles by Walliams, citing a focus on employee well-being. Walliams is taking legal advice and has denied any wrongdoing.