HarperCollins Drops David Walliams After Probe

British children's author and comedian David Walliams has been dropped by his longtime publisher HarperCollins UK following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior toward junior female employees. The 54-year-old writer, known for selling more than 60 million copies of his books worldwide, strongly denies the claims and says he was never informed of any complaints against him.

HarperCollins announced the decision on Friday, stating it would not publish any new titles by Walliams. "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," the publisher said in a statement. The company emphasized its commitment to employee wellbeing, noting it has established processes for reporting and investigating concerns but declined to comment further on internal matters to protect individual privacy.

The move comes after an investigation that began in 2023, prompted by complaints from junior staff members about Walliams's conduct during interactions at the publisher. According to reports, several employees were interviewed as part of...