In a major shake-up for the publishing world, HarperCollins UK has decided to stop publishing new books by renowned British children's author David Walliams. This significant move follows reports concerning alleged inappropriate conduct by the author towards young women, as first revealed by The Telegraph.
Publisher's Decision and Author's Response
A spokesperson for the global publishing giant informed The Telegraph that the choice was reached "after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO." The company emphasised its commitment to staff welfare, stating it takes employee wellbeing "extremely seriously" and maintains proper channels for reporting and investigating any concerns.
Reacting strongly to the development, a representative for David Walliams stated that the author was not part of any investigation nor given a chance to respond to questions. The representative asserted, "David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice." They further clarified that the publisher had never informed Walliams of any specific allegations against him.
A Stellar Career in Children's Literature
David Walliams is one of the United Kingdom's most successful authors for young readers. Since his debut children's novel, The Boy in the Dress, was published by HarperCollins in 2008, he has sold a staggering more than 60 million books worldwide, translated into 55 languages. Several of his popular titles, including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have been successfully adapted into television films, endearing him to a global audience.
Television Fame and Future Projects
Walliams first rose to fame as a co-creator and star of the iconic TV sketch show Little Britain. He later became a household name as a judge on the popular talent show Britain's Got Talent, a role for which he won National Television Awards. Despite the current controversy, he is still scheduled to appear on the comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? on Boxing Day.
Regarding future collaborations, the BBC confirmed, "While we're not making any changes to the festive schedules, we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams." This indicates a cautious approach from the broadcaster moving forward.
The parting of ways between Walliams and his long-time publisher marks a pivotal moment, casting uncertainty over the future of one of the world's best-selling children's authors while highlighting the publishing industry's increasing focus on workplace conduct.
