Entertainment · Celebrity · 2 hrs ago
David Walliams faces new allegations over conduct at HarperCollins
David Walliams is facing allegations about his conduct at HarperCollins, the British publisher that previously published his books.
A former intern said she had a consensual sexual relationship with him after visiting his home in 2017, but later felt the relationship involved an abuse of power.
A former HarperCollins employee also said she raised concerns about emails Walliams sent to a young colleague, who was not interested in him.
Walliams denies sexually harassing anyone at the publisher or behaving inappropriately at work, and denies other allegations of wrongdoing.
HarperCollins began an inquiry in late 2023 that ended in 2024, and stopped publishing his books in 2026 after ending their publishing relationship in December 2025.
The allegations have led to scrutiny of how the publisher handled staff concerns, while the UK government has called the claims troubling and Labour has suspended Walliams from the party.
Several women have accused David Walliams of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour and abusing his position, allegations he denies.
An investigation by the Guardian and ITV News reported that Walliams had a sexual relationship with at least one junior HarperCollins employee and pursued another.
Author Chloe Combi told the BBC she had heard concerns about his behaviour around young female staff and was warned in 2015 not to book him for schools.
HarperCollins ended its publishing relationship with Walliams in December 2025 and said in September 2026 it would no longer publish his back catalogue.
Walliams said he was “not a sexual predator” and had not “broken the law”.
- Who
- David Walliams, author and comedian, is the subject of allegations made by several women.
- What
- Women have alleged sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour and abuse of his position. Walliams denies wrongdoing.
- When
- The reports were published on 10 and 11 November 2026; some allegations and concerns date back years.
- Where
- The allegations include conduct connected to HarperCollins UK and other settings, including events and Walliams’s home.
- Why
- The reports concern allegations about Walliams’s conduct towards women and young female staff. A specific reason for the alleged conduct is Not stated.
Women making allegations
David Walliams
Alleged conduct
Women making allegations
Several women allege sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour or abuse of his position.
David Walliams
Walliams denies wrongdoing and says he is not a sexual predator.
HarperCollins workplace
Women making allegations
A former employee said concerns about emails to a young employee were raised with management and HR.
David Walliams
Walliams denies sexually harassing anyone at HarperCollins or behaving inappropriately in the workplace.
Chloe Combi said a senior publishing figure warned her not to book Walliams for schools.
HarperCollins initiated an inquiry into Walliams, according to the Daily Mail.
The HarperCollins inquiry into Walliams concluded, according to the Daily Mail.
HarperCollins dropped Walliams from its publishing relationship, according to the Daily Mail.
HarperCollins said it would no longer publish Walliams’s back catalogue.
The Daily Mail, BBC and other outlets reported allegations against Walliams, which he denies.
- Inquiry
- HarperCollins inquiry began in late 2023 and ended in 2024
- Publishing relationship
- Ended in December 2025, according to the Daily Mail
- Back catalogue
- HarperCollins said in September 2026 it would no longer publish it
- School booking warning
- Chloe Combi said she received a warning in 2015
- Allegations
- Include claims involving at least one junior HarperCollins employee
3 sources
Author says there were 'real concerns' about David Walliams within publishing industry
David Walliams 'had inappropriate sexual relationship with intern at publisher HarperCollins and pursued another employee before he was dropped for harassing women'
Sexuelle Belästigung – Schwere Vorwürfe gegen britischen Komiker David Walliams
What people are saying
One of the things she said was that there had been real concerns about his behaviour around young female staff.
not a sexual predator
broken the law
employee wellbeing extremely seriously