HarperCollins drops David Walliams completely by halting sales and print runs of his backlist

Backlist cancellation and bookshop phaseout

HarperCollins UK has confirmed it will stop printing, selling, and distributing the entire back catalogue of children's author David Walliams. The decision, first reported by trade outlet The Bookseller, completes the publisher's total separation from Walliams after cancelling all future book projects in December 2025. Retailers are set to phase out existing physical stock of his works, which include titles such as Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink, and The Boy in the Dress. Digital editions, including e-books and audiobook formats, are also scheduled for removal from online platforms. A spokesperson for the Rupert Murdoch-owned publishing company confirmed the operational change in a statement provided to AFP.

I can confirm that HarperCollins will no longer be publishing David Walliams's backlist.

Workplace allegations and internal inquiry

The split originated in late 2025 following an investigative report by The Daily Telegraph detailing allegations of inappropriate conduct toward junior female employees at HarperCollins. An internal inquiry took place after an employee raised a formal complaint regarding Walliams's workplace behaviour, with investigators interviewing publishing staff. Following that process, one woman who raised concerns received a five-figure financial payoff before leaving the company. Former staff members alleged that employees had received instructions to work with Walliams only in pairs and were advised not to visit his private residence. Walliams, whose legal representatives noted he had not been informed of the inquiry, has consistently maintained his innocence.

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.

Commercial scale and agency status

Walliams was among the commercial leaders of British publishing, writing more than 40 books and short-story collections after launching his children's writing career in 2008. His works have sold more than 60 million copies globally, with combined sales for Walliams and HarperCollins estimated at £100 million (€116 million) in 2019. Producing up to two books per year, he accounted for 44% of HarperCollins' total UK children's book sales in 2018. In parallel with the publishing developments, talent agency YMU confirmed it ended active commercial representation after discussions in early 2026, though it remains open to future collaboration. Independent Talent Group continues to manage his literary representation, while his official website has shut down and his X account of two million followers has been inactive since December 2025.

Broadcast career and legal disputes

Walliams, whose legal name is David Edward Williams, established his public profile in the 2000s by co-creating and starring in the BBC sketch comedy Little Britain with Matt Lucas. Beyond television roles in Doctor Who and Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime, as well as film appearances in Stardust and Murder Mystery, he received an OBE in 2017 after completing charity challenges including swimming the River Thames. He served as a judge on Britain's Got Talent between 2012 and 2022, leaving the series after leaked audio from 2020 London Palladium auditions captured him making derogatory comments about contestants. That departure led to a lawsuit against producer Fremantle over data protection laws, which concluded in 2023 with a formal apology and an amicable settlement.