David Walliams, the acclaimed children’s author and comedian, has been removed from the guest list for the upcoming Waterstones Children’s Book Festival. This decision follows the recent termination of his publishing contract with HarperCollins amid an investigation into allegations of harassment. Walliams has denied all claims of inappropriate behavior.
In an official statement, Waterstones confirmed, “HarperCollins have confirmed that David Walliams will no longer be appearing at our festival in Dundee.”
The festival, which first launched earlier this year in Lincoln, is set to expand next spring with events planned in Taunton alongside Dundee. Following the announcement, Walliams has been removed from the festival website’s list of speakers.
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Known for his roles in comedic television series like Come Fly With Me and Little Britain, Walliams is also a celebrated author whose children’s books—such as The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny—have sold over 60 million copies worldwide. Several of his works have been adapted for television, including the BBC specials of Gangsta Granny and its sequel.
Last week, HarperCollins stated that after thorough consideration, they would not publish any future titles by Walliams. The publisher emphasized their commitment to employee wellbeing and adherence to investigative procedures, while refraining from commenting on specific internal matters to respect privacy.
Walliams’ career includes a decade-long tenure as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent until his departure in 2022 after issuing an apology for past comments made about contestants. That same year, the show’s producer, Fremantle, issued an apology as well and reached a settlement with Walliams concerning leaked remarks during filming, addressing issues related to data privacy laws.
Aside from entertainment, Walliams was honored with an OBE in 2017 for his contributions to arts and charity, notably raising £2 million for Sport Relief through a River Thames swim. Earlier controversies include reports of him making Nazi salutes on a BBC panel show, Would I Lie To You?
When reached for comment regarding the festival cancellation, a spokesperson for Walliams told the Press Association that he was unaware of any allegations from HarperCollins, had not been involved in any investigation, and strongly denies any inappropriate conduct. Walliams is currently seeking legal advice.