David Walliams, a highly regarded children’s author, has been dropped by his publisher following a misconduct investigation. Allegations of inappropriate behavior towards young women led to this significant decision by HarperCollins.
Investigation Findings
The Telegraph’s investigation revealed that Walliams harassed junior female employees at HarperCollins. One of the affected women reportedly received a five-figure payout and left the company.
Publisher’s Leadership Changes
This development coincided with considerable changes in leadership at HarperCollins. Charlie Redmayne, the former chief executive, departed in October, and Kate Elton took over as interim chief.
Walliams’ Response
Reportedly, Walliams was unaware of the investigation and did not have the conclusions presented to him. A spokesperson for HarperCollins stated, “After careful consideration, under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams.”
Commitment to Employee Wellbeing
HarperCollins emphasized its commitment to employee wellbeing and outlined that proper procedures are in place for reporting and addressing concerns. They did not disclose further details due to privacy considerations.
Walliams’ Career Achievements
David Walliams gained fame over 20 years ago with the comedy series “Little Britain.” Since then, he has published over 40 books and short story collections, selling more than 60 million copies globally.
Estimates suggest that by 2019, sales of Walliams’ books alongside his publisher reached £100 million. His works are frequently utilized in educational settings and have been translated into 55 languages, in addition to being adapted for BBC television.
Conclusion
The decision to sever ties with Walliams signals a pivotal moment in both his career and the publishing landscape at HarperCollins. The future of his published works and potential new titles remains uncertain.
