David Walliams has been dropped from the Waterstones Children’s book festival following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The decision comes days after his publisher, HarperCollins, cut ties with the author. Walliams has denied the allegations.
Walliams was set to appear at the Dundee leg of the festival on February 7. He has now been removed from the list of speakers on the festival’s website. A spokesperson for Waterstones told the Guardian: “HarperCollins have confirmed that David Walliams will no longer be appearing at our festival in Dundee.”
HarperCollins dropped Walliams after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women, the Telegraph reported on Friday. According to the newspaper, he was the subject of complaints that he had “harassed” junior female staff at HarperCollins UK. One woman who raised concerns is understood to have left the company after reaching a settlement that included a five-figure payout. After the investigation, the publisher decided it would no longer release new titles by the author.
A spokesperson for Walliams said that he had “never been informed of any allegations raised against him” by HarperCollins. “He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”
In a statement to the Guardian on Friday, HarperCollins said: “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 news comes as Walliams is scheduled to appear on a festive special of the comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? on Boxing Day on BBC One. The episode attracted controversy earlier this year after it emerged that he had made two Nazi salutes during the recording. At the time, the BBC apologised to those present. A spokesperson for Banijay UK, which owns Would I Lie To You? producer Zeppotron, said it was “immediately acknowledged during the recording that this segment would not be broadcast under any circumstances.”
After last week’s allegations about Walliams, a spokesperson told BBC reporters: “While we’re not making any changes to the festive schedules, we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams.”
Two of Walliams’ books, Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress, have been adapted for television and were broadcast on CBBC on Sunday.