HarperCollins UK has informed bestselling children’s author and comedian David Walliams that it will not publish any further titles by him, a decision the publisher says was made “after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO.” The move, announced this week, comes amid media reports of an internal inquiry into claims of inappropriate behaviour towards young women — a detail the publisher has not publicly confirmed.

A HarperCollins spokesperson said the company takes employee wellbeing “extremely seriously” and affirmed that established “processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns” would be followed. The publisher added that, “to respect the privacy of individuals we do not comment on internal matters,” and did not elaborate on the nature or scope of the reported investigation.

Walliams’s representative strongly rebutted any suggestion of wrongdoing. The spokesperson said the author had “never been informed of any allegations raised against him” by HarperCollins, that he “was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions,” and that he “strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.” Walliams’s team has not provided additional comment on whether or how they will pursue legal action.

The decision marks a high-profile rupture between one of Britain’s most commercially successful children’s authors and the house that published his breakout book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. Walliams — a former television star and judge on Britain’s Got Talent who has sold more than 60 million copies of his more than 40 books in 55 languages — remains a prominent figure in British entertainment and children’s publishing. HarperCollins released his most recent Christmas title, Santa & Son, in October.

Several of Walliams’s works, including Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have been adapted for television, and two of his early titles are scheduled to air as TV films on CBBC this weekend. Broadcasters have so far taken a cautious stance: a BBC spokesperson said the festive schedules would not be changed but added, “we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams.”

The timing of HarperCollins’s announcement follows leadership changes at the publisher. Kate Elton was appointed chief executive of HarperCollins UK in October, and the company cited that new leadership in describing how the decision was reached.

Walliams’s public profile has weathered controversies before. In 2023 he reached a settlement with the production company behind Britain’s Got Talent after suing over the leak of private remarks he acknowledged making in 2022; he had apologised at the time for “disrespectful comments” about two contestants. Earlier this year he faced criticism for appearing to make Nazi salutes during a recording of the BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?, an episode that drew public rebuke.

As the situation develops, both HarperCollins and Walliams’s representatives have signalled a degree of confidentiality and legal restraint. HarperCollins declined to confirm specifics of any investigation, while the author says he has not been made aware of allegations and is seeking legal counsel. Readers and industry observers will be watching for any further statements from the publisher, the author, or broadcasters about scheduled programmes and future collaborations.