DAVID Walliams has been accused of allegedly harassing junior female employees.
The famous children’s author has been dropped by HarperCollins in the wake of the accusations.
According to The Telegraph, one woman who raised the 54-year-old’s alleged behaviour was reportedly given a five-figure payoff.
Walliams skyrocketed to fame 20 years ago and became a household name following the series Little Britain.
He went on to pen over 40 books and short story collections – worth an estimated £100m.
A spokesman for HarperCollins told the Telegraph: “After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams. The author is aware of this decision.
“HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns.
“To respect the privacy of individuals we do not comment on internal matters.”
The newspaper claimed employees were told to work in “pairs” when meeting him and told not to visit his house.
It reported that an investigation was launched in 2023 after a junior employee raised concerns and later left the company.
In November 2022, Walliamsstepped downfrom being a Britain’s Got Talent judge after nearly a decade.
Itcame after atranscript of comments he madeabout contestants during a break in filming were made public.
In a statement issued before he quit, he said: “I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming forBritain’s Got Talentin 2020.
“These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.”
In the leaked transcriptsDavidcalled one OAP a c*** three times and said of another: “She thinks you want to f*** her, but you don’t.”
Theremarks were picked up on his microphoneduring auditions at theLondonPalladium in January 2020.
It was then revealed in September 2023 that David had launched legal action against the BGT production company, Fremantle, over the damaging leak.
Then on November 27, 2023, it was revealed how theTV comic had sensationally secured a huge payoutfollowing his lawsuit.
David Walliams “strongly denies” allegations of inappropriate behaviour and was not informed about or party to an investigation by publisher HarperCollins, his spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for David Walliams 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.”