SO SAD: Sky News halts for major breaking news alert – and it’s bad news for David Walliams
Sky News interrupted its afternoon coverage with a major breaking news update concerning David Walliams after HarperCollins confirmed it will no longer publish any of his books.
Presenter Samantha Washington delivered the development on Friday, September 18, explaining that the publisher’s decision now goes considerably further than its previous announcement that it would stop releasing new titles by the former Britain’s Got Talent judge.
Walliams has strongly denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour and has previously said he was not informed about any investigation by HarperCollins or given the opportunity to respond to questions.
Opening the breaking news segment, Washington said: “HarperCollins has now confirmed it will no longer publish any books that have been authored by David Walliams.”
She stressed that the latest move affects his existing catalogue as well as future releases.
HarperCollins Takes Further Action
Washington explained: “They have gone further than saying that they will stop releasing new books; they will no longer publish any books authored by David Walliams.”
HarperCollins had previously announced that it would not release any new titles from Walliams following reports containing allegations about his behaviour towards young women.
Walliams denies those allegations.
According to The Bookseller, HarperCollins has now also dropped his backlist, meaning his previously published titles are expected to be gradually phased out from shops.
Digital editions and audiobooks are also reportedly set to be affected.
Walliams’ author page and several of his best-known titles, including Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Ratburger, have already disappeared from the HarperCollins website.
More Than 60 Million Books Sold
The decision is particularly significant because HarperCollins has published all 23 of Walliams’ children’s books.
His career as a children’s author began with The Boy in the Dress in 2008.
He subsequently released novels, short-story collections and picture books, building a hugely successful publishing career alongside his television work.
His books have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to the report, while six have been adapted for television.
That makes the decision to remove his existing catalogue considerably broader than simply declining to commission future books.
In December, HarperCollins said that “after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO,” it would no longer publish new titles by Walliams.
The latest development extends that position to books already released.
Allegations Behind Publishing Fallout
The decision follows reports concerning allegations about Walliams’ conduct.
The Telegraph previously reported that a complaint from a junior colleague led to interviews with other staff members.
Former employees also reportedly alleged that they had been advised not to visit Walliams’ home alone and to work in pairs when meeting him.
These remain allegations, and Walliams has denied behaving inappropriately.
HarperCollins said at the time: “HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns.”
The company added that it would not comment on internal matters in order to protect individuals’ privacy.
Walliams Strongly Denies Claims
Walliams’ representatives have previously pushed back strongly against the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the publisher’s decision.
A spokesperson said: “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins.”
The statement added that he “was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions”.
His representative continued: “David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal action.”
The latest HarperCollins move therefore represents another significant development in an ongoing dispute rather than a finding that the allegations have been proven.
Sky News Gives Update Breaking-News Treatment
The scale of the publishing decision prompted Sky News to interrupt its regular afternoon coverage to report the development.
For an author whose books have been sold around the world for almost two decades, the removal of an entire back catalogue marks a major change.
Walliams’ relationship with HarperCollins helped establish him as one of Britain’s most commercially successful children’s authors.
Now, not only are there set to be no new books from him through the publisher, but his existing titles are reportedly being phased out as well.
Walliams continues to deny all allegations against him and has said through his representative that he is pursuing legal action.
