David Walliams book backlist dropped by HarperCollins
HarperCollins is set to start phasing out David Walliams’ backlist of published books. (Getty Images)
HarperCollins has confirmed it has dropped David Walliams’s backlist and will gradually phase out remaining copies of his books, including e-book and audio editions, after previously deciding it would not publish any new titles by him.
The move is understood to mean remaining stock will be reduced in shops over time, while digital editions sold online will also be withdrawn, according to a trade report. It follows on from HarperCollins announcing in 2025 that it would not publish any new books by Walliams following reports of his alleged inappropriate behaviour towards young women, although the publisher did not confirm its reason for the decision.
Walliams has denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour. A spokesperson for him said: “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”
HarperCollins published 23 children’s books by Walliams, beginning with 2008’s The Boy in the Dress. The books have sold over 60 million copies worldwide, and six have been adapted for TV. Titles including Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Ratburger have reportedly disappeared from the HarperCollins website along with his author page.
What HarperCollins has said
In December last year, HarperCollins announced that “after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO”, it would not be publishing any new titles by Walliams.
A spokesperson for HarperCollins said at the time: “HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns. To respect the privacy of individuals, we do not comment on internal matters.”
Days later, the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival removed Walliams from its line-up following HarperCollins’s move.
Walliams’ wider profile
Walliams rose to fame alongside Matt Lucas with BBC sketch comedies Little Britain and Come Fly with Me. The series later faced widespread criticism for racist and transphobic content and the use of blackface, and Ofcom research in 2023 described a Little Britain sketch as “explicitly racist and outdated”.
He became a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, staying in the role for 10 years. In 2022, a transcript leaked to The Guardian revealed obscene comments he made about contestants during an audition two years earlier. He apologised for the “disrespectful comments” and later settled a lawsuit against FremantleMedia in November 2023.
