HarperCollins is removing David Walliams’ entire back catalogue from publication, marking a significant escalation from its earlier decision not to release any new books by the comedian and children’s author.
The publisher is gradually phasing out remaining stock from bookshops and will also withdraw e-book and audiobook editions sold online.
Walliams’ author page and titles including Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Ratburger have already disappeared from the HarperCollins website.
The move follows HarperCollins’ announcement in December 2025 that it would no longer publish new titles by Walliams after reports emerged alleging inappropriate behaviour towards young women.
Walliams strongly denies behaving inappropriately.
More Than 60 Million Books Sold
HarperCollins published 23 of Walliams’ children’s books, beginning with The Boy in the Dress in 2008, alongside short-story collections and picture books.
His books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, with several adapted for television.
That makes the decision to withdraw his backlist particularly significant.
Rather than simply ending their publishing relationship going forward, HarperCollins is now allowing existing editions to disappear from sale as stock runs down.
Digital editions are also expected to be withdrawn.
A spokesperson for Walliams previously said he had never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins, had not been involved in any investigation and had not been given an opportunity to answer questions.
“David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice,” the spokesperson said.
HarperCollins Has Not Detailed Its Reasons
When HarperCollins announced last year that it would no longer publish new Walliams books, it said the decision had been made “after careful consideration” under its new leadership.
The publisher did not publicly detail the allegations or directly state that they were the reason for ending the relationship.
At the time, it said it took employee wellbeing seriously and had processes for reporting and investigating concerns, but would not comment on internal matters.
Reports subsequently alleged that concerns had been raised about Walliams’ conduct towards junior female staff.
Walliams disputes those allegations.
Days after the original publishing decision, the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival also removed him from its line-up.
A Career Already Marked By Controversy
Walliams became a household name through Little Britain and Come Fly with Me, created with Matt Lucas.
Both programmes have since faced substantial criticism over portrayals involving blackface, racial stereotypes and transgender characters.
Some episodes were temporarily removed from streaming platforms in 2020 amid renewed scrutiny over their content.
For LGBTQ+ audiences, Little Britain has also had a complicated legacy.
Certain queer characters became hugely visible in mainstream British television, while other material relied heavily on stereotypes and jokes about gender expression and trans people that have aged poorly.
Walliams later became a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, remaining on the show for a decade.
In 2022, leaked recordings revealed derogatory and sexually explicit comments he had made about contestants during breaks in filming two years earlier.
Walliams apologised for what he called “disrespectful comments”, while stressing that the conversations had been private.
He subsequently sued production company Fremantle over the leak, with the dispute settled in 2023.
What Happens To The Books Now?
The backlist decision does not mean every Walliams book will vanish from shelves immediately.
Existing physical stock can remain available while retailers sell through copies already in circulation, while second-hand editions will continue to exist independently of HarperCollins.
But over time, new HarperCollins editions are expected to become unavailable.
For one of Britain’s most commercially successful children’s authors, it represents an unusually comprehensive break between publisher and author.
Walliams has denied wrongdoing and has indicated he is taking legal advice.
HarperCollins, meanwhile, appears to be closing the door not only on future releases, but on the books that built one of its biggest children’s publishing successes of the past two decades.
