British author and television personality David Walliams has been dropped by his long-time publisher HarperCollins UK, with the company confirming it will not publish any new titles by the writer following an internal review.
The decision brings an abrupt end to one of the most commercially successful relationships in modern UK children’s publishing. Walliams’ books have been fixtures of bestseller lists for years, widely stocked in schools, libraries, and supermarkets — a level of reach few British authors maintain over such a long stretch.
Walliams rose to prominence in publishing with a string of hugely popular children’s novels, including The Boy in the Dress, Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and The World’s Worst Children series. Known for their fast-paced plots, exaggerated humour and cartoon-style illustrations, his books have consistently appealed to younger readers and reluctant readers in particular, helping drive strong sales in schools, libraries and book fairs across the UK and beyond.
HarperCollins said it takes employee wellbeing seriously and that the decision reflects its internal processes and standards. The publisher has not published detailed findings from the review, and has indicated it will not comment further on individual matters.
Reports from UK media indicate the review followed complaints related to workplace conduct. No criminal charges have been reported in connection with the publisher’s decision, and the matter has been treated as an internal workplace issue rather than a court case. Walliams has not issued a public response at the time of writing.
For readers, the immediate impact is likely to be limited. Existing Walliams titles are expected to remain widely available through retailers and libraries, but the absence of new releases raises obvious questions about his next move — including whether he might pursue a different publisher or shift future projects elsewhere.
The situation also reflects a wider change across publishing and entertainment: reputational risk and internal culture are increasingly treated as core business concerns, even when major commercial brands are involved.
As the story continues, attention is likely to focus on whether Walliams responds publicly, what HarperCollins does with any future reprints, and how booksellers and schools handle the author’s place on shelves over the coming months.
You can read the latest reporting from BBC News and Sky News.
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