David Walliams appeared somber at a children’s event, marking his first public outing since facing criticism last month. The event was advertised as being full of his typical playful antics.
The 54-year-old children’s author was seen in public again on Saturday, a few weeks after HarperCollins ended their publishing relationship with him due to accusations of workplace harassment.
David Walliams tried to appear calm when he arrived at the Circle & Star Theatre in Hampstead, London, but he seemed nervous and had trouble finding the entrance to the stage.
Wearing jeans and a dark jacket, he simply said ‘hello’ to the Daily Mail reporter and didn’t respond to questions about his future TV plans or how he was doing after a difficult few weeks.
It’s been really surprising to see how different he is off-camera from his public persona. I’ve been reading in the Daily Mail this week that things haven’t been going smoothly for him lately, and honestly, it’s been tough to hear.
David Walliams’ event promised a fun and lively storytelling experience for children and their families. It included readings, opportunities for the audience to participate, and plenty of his signature playful humor.
But the muted turnout told its own story as the author tentatively stepped back into the spotlight.
Someone in line to enter the event wondered if it was possible to appreciate the author’s work despite the controversy around his personal life.
She praised his children’s books, but admitted the recent allegations have made things complicated. ‘It’s hard to ignore the situation once you’re aware of it,’ she explained.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the recent news, and it’s quite concerning. Apparently, former HarperCollins staff were told to always work with a colleague when collaborating with David Walliams, and were specifically advised against visiting his home. It seems they had protocols in place to ensure a level of safety and oversight during interactions with him.
One woman who spoke up about issues reportedly received a substantial payment and is no longer with the company.
In December, The Children’s Trust announced that David Walliams, known for his role in Little Britain, would no longer be a charity ambassador, a decision made earlier in 2025.
The BBC stated they don’t have any upcoming projects planned with David Walliams, even though they’ve decided to keep his appearance in the Christmas episode of Would I Lie To You as scheduled.
This episode signaled a dramatic turn for David Walliams, a hugely popular children’s author in Britain. He’s sold over 60 million books in 55 languages and is also well-known as a television personality.
David Walliams’ first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, was published by HarperCollins in 2008. Several of his other popular books, like Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have also been made into TV movies.
News of the situation brought relief within the entertainment industry, where sources told the Daily Mail that Walliams was ‘completely disliked’.
You know, I’ve been hearing it from a lot of people lately, and finally someone just put it out there: this person isn’t exactly known for being kind. It’s not gossip anymore, it’s just an observation about their personality, and honestly, a lot of us have felt that way for a while.
Despite many people trying to shield him, David Walliams’s inappropriate behavior was well-known within the entertainment industry. For instance, someone who used to work on Britain’s Got Talent told the Daily Mail that he was extremely rude to them while they were employed there.
As a lifestyle commentator, I remember when David Walliams stepped down from Britain’s Got Talent in November 2022. It was a bit of a difficult situation, really, as recordings came out revealing some unkind things he’d said about the people auditioning, when he thought the cameras weren’t rolling. It definitely left a mark on the show and how people viewed him.
Honestly, I was shocked to hear the recording. It revealed some truly awful and disrespectful language directed at women. He described one woman in a way that was both crude and demeaning – basically comparing her to someone who misreads signals and assumes unwanted romantic interest. It’s language that absolutely has no place in decent conversation, and it’s deeply upsetting to hear someone speak about another person like that.
Despite issuing a public apology, David Walliams also took legal action against the production company Fremantle, claiming they misused his private information and violated data protection laws. Fremantle apologized, and reports suggest Walliams received around £5 million as a result of the case.
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2026-01-17 21:19