The BBC has officially ended its professional relationship with children's author and television personality David Walliams, following a decision by his publisher HarperCollins to sever ties. The publisher announced it would not release any new titles by Walliams, a move reportedly linked to allegations of sexual misconduct.
Publisher's Decision and BBC's Response
HarperCollins, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, stated it had made the choice not to publish further works by Walliams after careful consideration under its new CEO. This followed an internal inquiry launched after a junior employee lodged a complaint in 2023. The publisher was reportedly investigating claims that Walliams had harassed junior female staff.
A BBC spokesperson confirmed the corporation's position, stating: “While we’re not making changes to festive schedules we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams.” This means the pre-recorded Christmas special of Would I Lie To You? featuring Walliams will still air on BBC One on Boxing Day. Furthermore, CBBC is scheduled to broadcast film adaptations of his books Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress.
Walliams's Denial and Past Controversies
David Walliams has strongly denied the allegations made by HarperCollins. A representative for the star said he was never informed of any specific claims, was not part of any investigation, and was given no opportunity to respond to questions. The representative confirmed Walliams “strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”
This incident is not Walliams's first brush with controversy. He left his role as a judge on ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2022 after a decade, following a Guardian report on a leaked transcript from 2020 auditions. The transcript contained crude and derogatory remarks he made about contestants.
Additionally, in 2021, a story from his collection The World's Worst Children featuring a character called Brian Wong was criticised for “casual racism” by campaigners and was subsequently removed from future editions.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The dual action by a major publisher and the national broadcaster marks a significant moment, highlighting how institutions are responding to allegations of misconduct. The BBC's statement carefully delineates between honouring existing broadcast commitments and ruling out future collaborations.
With legal advice being sought, the situation remains fluid. The professional fallout for Walliams, a once ubiquitous figure in British children's publishing and light entertainment, appears substantial, with two major pillars of his career now withdrawn.
