HarperCollins Drops David Walliams' Books; TV Agent Quits Harassment

**HarperCollins Drops David Walliams’ Back Catalog; YMU Terminates Representation**

David Walliams, the former *Little Britain* star and bestselling children’s author, has seen his publishing and talent contracts unraveled this week.

The Rupert Murdoch‑owned publisher announced it will stop publishing his back catalog, while the talent agency YMU has removed his profile from its website and confirmed he is no longer under active representation. These moves follow a series of allegations that surfaced in late 2025.

Walliams’ books—such as *Gangsta Granny* and *Mr Stink*—have sold millions worldwide, making him one of Britain’s most successful children's writers. He also built a long‑running television career, from co‑creating *Little Britain* with Matt Lucas to judging *Britain’s Got Talent* for a decade.

The recent decisions therefore strike at both his literary and broadcast legacies.

The announcements come amid a broader industry reckoning over misconduct allegations. While Walliams denies wrongdoing, the fallout shows how quickly high‑profile figures can lose key business relationships when allegations surface, even if investigations remain unresolved.

## Background & Context

HarperCollins first dropped Walliams last year after internal concerns about his conduct toward junior female employees. The Bookseller reported that the publisher had decided to sever ties with the author following a private investigation.

Now the company has confirmed it will no longer represent his backlist, effectively ending the sale of his existing titles under its imprint.

Walliams has publicly denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to *The Telegraph*, his spokesperson said, “David has 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.” Despite the denial, the publisher’s decision underscores the seriousness with which publishing houses treat allegations of harassment.

Independent Talent Group remains the entity overseeing Walliams’ literary interests, indicating that while HarperCollins has pulled his books, other contractual relationships may persist.

The shift marks a rare instance of a major publisher withdrawing an author’s entire back catalog, a move that could signal changes in how publishers manage reputational risk.

## What Happened

Separately, YMU—Walliams’ former talent agency—has ceased to actively represent him. His profile was removed from the agency’s website, and a source confirmed that “is not currently in a commercial relationship with YMU” following amicable talks in early 2026.

YMU has not entirely severed ties; it continues to handle his television interests, including his decade‑long role as a judge on *Britain’s Got Talent*.

The agency’s decision follows the same pattern of distancing that HarperCollins adopted. While YMU had represented Walliams’ TV work, it has opted to end its broader representation contract. The source noted that the split was amicable, implying no public dispute at this time.

Earlier in 2025, *The Daily Telegraph* reported that Walliams had been the subject of an internal investigation regarding alleged harassment of junior female HarperCollins employees. The allegations included a claim that one staffer received a “five‑figure payoff” after raising concerns.

Former employees said they were instructed to work with Walliams in “pairs” and were advised not to visit his home. These claims remain unverified outside of the source material.

Walliams has been known for his television presence beyond *Little Britain*, appearing in series like *Doctor Who* and *Partners in Crime*, and films such as *Murder Mystery* and *Stardust*. His decade on *Britain’s Got Talent* was marred by a 2022 controversy when a comment he made about a contestant was leaked to *The Guardian*.

He later apologized for the remark, which had included the word “c***.” The incident added to the scrutiny surrounding his public conduct.

## What Happens Next

At this juncture, no official statement has emerged from Walliams regarding HarperCollins’ decision or YMU’s termination of representation. The lack of public comment leaves uncertainty about his next steps, both in publishing and television.

His existing contractual obligations with Independent Talent Group could determine whether he continues to produce new literary work under a different publisher.

The broader entertainment industry may watch how these developments affect other high‑profile writers who face similar allegations. Publishers and agencies have already tightened policies around conduct, and this case could reinforce the trend of swift business disengagement when reputational risks arise.

Walliams’ career has spanned decades, yet the current situation demonstrates how quickly professional relationships can shift in response to allegations. Only time will reveal whether he secures new publishing partnerships or repositions his media presence under different representation.