Key Highlights
- David Walliams has been dropped by HarperCollins after accusations of harassing junior female employees.
- The publisher stated it takes employee wellbeing seriously and respects individual privacy.
- Walliams previously stepped down from Britain’s Got Talent judge role amid controversy over leaked remarks.
- A former employee received a five-figure payoff following the accusations.
David Walliams Dropped by Publisher Over Harassment Claims
The entertainment industry has been rocked by yet another scandal, this time involving David Walliams, one of Britain’s most beloved children’s authors. Following a series of accusations of inappropriate behavior towards young women in the workplace, HarperCollins has axed its partnership with the 54-year-old author.
A Scandalous Past
The news broke as The Telegraph revealed that Walliams was accused of harassing junior female employees at his publisher. According to reports, one woman who came forward received a substantial five-figure payoff after making her claims public. This isn’t the first time Walliams has faced backlash; in 2022, he stepped down from being a judge on Britain’s Got Talent following the leak of controversial remarks made during breaks in filming.
The Accusations and Reactions
In November 2022, Walliams apologized for his disrespectful comments directed at contestants. However, his new controversy centers around alleged inappropriate behavior towards junior employees. A HarperCollins spokesman told The Telegraph: “After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams.
The author is aware of this decision.” He continued, emphasizing the publisher’s commitment to employee well-being: “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.”
Internal Procedural Measures
The newspaper also reported that employees were instructed to work in pairs when meeting Walliams, as well as not to visit his house. An investigation was launched in 2023 after a junior employee raised concerns and later left the company. The timing of this decision suggests it may have been influenced by ongoing internal processes.
Walliams has not yet commented publicly on these latest accusations, leaving fans and critics alike waiting to see how he will respond. His future in the publishing world remains uncertain as other publishers and media outlets assess their own policies regarding employee conduct and company culture.
The fallout from this controversy could have far-reaching implications for the industry, prompting discussions about workplace ethics and the treatment of junior employees within high-profile industries like publishing and entertainment.
