David Walliams has been dumped by his publisher over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women, UK media are reporting.
The comedian, who rose to fame on TV sketch series Little Britain, is a best-selling author of children鈥檚 books such as Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress 鈥 some of which have been adapted for TV.
The Telegraph reported that the former Britain鈥檚 Got Talent judge had been ditched by his publisher after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women.
Publisher HarperCollins UK didn鈥檛 say why they鈥檇 dropped Walliams, a father-of-one who was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.
鈥淎fter careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO [Kate Elton], HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams,鈥 a spokesman for the publisher told the BBC.
The broadcaster also reported that it鈥檇 asked for comment from representatives of Walliams, whose books have sold more than 60 million copies across 55 languages worldwide.
The 54-year-old toured New Zealand last year, including a surprise appearance on 九一星空无限talk ZB鈥檚 Mike Hosking Breakfast.
Walliams had met Hosking and his wife, Kate Hawkesby, in London the previous year, joking with the radio host, 鈥淚 remember Kate, but not you ... still married?鈥
Comedian David Walliams made a surprise appearance on the Mike Hosking Breakfast last year. Photo / Michael Craig
Before his Kiwi tour, Walliams told ZB鈥檚 Real Life with John Cowan he鈥檇 bring spontaneity, adult themes and rude humour to his live shows.
鈥淎 couple of Little Britain characters appear in the show. It鈥檚 not crude, but obviously, there鈥檚 some鈥 adult themes and slightly rude things.鈥
He was 鈥渃onstantly reminding myself how lucky I am鈥, Walliams told Cowan.
鈥淲e went from playing to three people, to playing to 10,000 people. People don鈥檛 really see the journey. They鈥檙e obviously not really aware of you until you鈥檙e successful.
鈥淏ut we remember, and it鈥檚 a pretty amazing journey.鈥
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