Author and comedian David Walliams will no longer take part in next year’s Waterstones Children’s Book Festival, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women, which he has denied.
The decision comes shortly after his publisher, HarperCollins, confirmed it had ended its professional relationship with the bestselling writer. A spokesperson for Waterstones told the BBC that HarperCollins had informed the bookseller that Walliams would not be appearing at the festival in Dundee, nor at events planned in Lincoln and Taunton.
Walliams’ name has since been removed from the festival’s list of participating authors. The programme will instead feature writers such as How to Train Your Dragon creator Cressida Cowell and Tom Gates author Liz Pichon.
One of the UK’s most commercially successful children’s authors, Walliams has sold more than 60 million books worldwide, translated into 55 languages. HarperCollins published his debut children’s novel, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008, and went on to release more than 40 of his titles. Several, including Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy, Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress, have been adapted for television.
HarperCollins said it would not alter its current festive programming, but confirmed there were no future projects planned with Walliams. In a statement, the publisher said it takes employee welfare “extremely seriously” and has established procedures for reporting and addressing concerns, while declining to comment further on internal matters.
A spokesperson for Walliams said the author had not been informed of any allegations prior to the decision and had not been invited to respond. The statement added that Walliams “strongly denies” any inappropriate behaviour and is seeking legal advice.
Walliams is still expected to appear on the comedy panel show Would I Lie to You?, according to current schedules.
