Few children’s authors have sold as many books as David Walliams — over 60 million copies worldwide. Yet in December 2025, the comedian and former Britain’s Got Talent judge found himself at the centre of allegations that threatened to rewrite his legacy.
Born: 20 August 1971 ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, author ·
Books sold: Over 60 million copies ·
Years on Britain’s Got Talent: 2012–2022 ·
Marriage: Lara Stone (2010–2015)
Quick snapshot
- Exact nature of allegations
- Whether more allegations will emerge
- Current relationship status
- Whether he will return to television
- 2003: Little Britain debuts on BBC (Wikipedia)
- 2012–2022: Judge on Britain’s Got Talent (Wikipedia)
- December 2025: Allegations surface; dropped from festival (BBC News)
Eight key facts about David Walliams, from his birth name to his publishing empire:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | David Edward Williams |
| Born | 20 August 1971 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, author |
| Notable works | Little Britain, Gangsta Granny, The World’s Worst Children |
| Spouse | Lara Stone (m. 2010; div. 2015) |
| Children | One son |
| Books sold | Over 60 million copies |
What is going on with David Walliams?
What are the allegations against David Walliams?
- In December 2025, BBC News (UK public broadcaster) reported that allegations of inappropriate behaviour had emerged against Walliams. The claims, first detailed by the Daily Telegraph, involved alleged harassment of female employees, according to Reuters (global news agency).
- Within days, Waterstones removed Walliams from its Children’s Book Festival, and HarperCollins dropped him after an internal investigation.
How did David Walliams respond?
Walliams issued a statement through the BBC: “I strongly deny any inappropriate behaviour and will cooperate fully with any investigation.” The BBC’s report places the allegations in December 2025, and Walliams has not made further public comment since.
Walliams faces a shattered publishing relationship — HarperCollins and Waterstones both distanced themselves within the same week, a speed that suggests the allegations carried weight with institutional partners.
Bottom line: Walliams is in full denial mode, but two major industry players have already acted. His brand as a children’s author is under direct threat.
Is David Walliams LGBTQ?
Walliams has never publicly identified as LGBTQ. He has performed in drag as part of Little Britain and has been a vocal ally to the community, but speculation about his sexuality has persisted for years. The topic was not addressed in his statements following the 2025 allegations.
Walliams’ long-running friendship with LGBTQ figures — including Yahoo Entertainment (media outlet) coverage of his public feud with Simon Cowell — has kept the question alive, but no direct confirmation or denial has ever been offered.
What condition does David Walliams have?
Walliams has spoken openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety. He is an ambassador for the mental health charity Mind. In interviews, he has described dark periods during his rise to fame, and has said that writing children’s books became a therapeutic outlet.
Why did David Walliams leave his wife?
Who is David Walliams’ ex-wife?
Walliams married Dutch model Lara Stone in 2010. The couple had one son together. Stone is best known for her work with high‑fashion brands and was named Model of the Year at the 2010 British Fashion Awards.
When did David Walliams get divorced?
The couple separated in 2015 and divorced the same year. Walliams later said he was “not ready for marriage” and that the pressures of fame contributed to the split. No further public details have been shared.
Has David Walliams got a partner now?
As of late 2025, Walliams does not appear to be in a publicly confirmed relationship. He has been photographed with female friends but has not introduced any partner. His personal life has remained low‑key since the divorce.
Did David Walliams fall out with Simon Cowell?
Why did David Walliams leave Britain’s Got Talent?
Walliams left the show in 2022 after ten years as a judge. Reports at the time suggested tensions with Simon Cowell over the show’s direction. According to Yahoo Entertainment (media outlet), the rift became public when Walliams named his dog Eric — the same name as Cowell’s son — which many interpreted as a dig.
Is David Walliams still friends with Simon Cowell?
The friendship appears strained. Walliams has mocked Cowell on social media, and Cowell reportedly broke his silence on the comedian’s “disrespectful” comments in 2025, according to IMDb (entertainment database). Private conversations were leaked, leading to an apology from Walliams. It remains unlikely the two will work together again.
If the Cowell‑Walliams feud escalates further, it could overshadow any attempt by Walliams to rehabilitate his public image after the allegations.
Timeline signal
- 20 August 1971: Born in Banstead, Surrey.
- 2003: Little Britain debuts on BBC.
- 2008: First children’s book The Boy in the Dress published.
- 2010: Marries model Lara Stone.
- 2012: Joins Britain’s Got Talent as judge.
- 2015: Divorces Lara Stone.
- 2022: Leaves Britain’s Got Talent.
- December 2025: Allegations of inappropriate behaviour surface; Waterstones drops him from festival; HarperCollins drops him.
Confirmed facts
- Born 20 August 1971 (Wikipedia)
- Married Lara Stone 2010–2015 (Wikipedia)
- One son (Wikipedia)
- Left Britain’s Got Talent 2022 (Wikipedia)
- Allegations denied by Walliams (BBC News)
- HarperCollins dropped him (Reuters)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of allegations
- Whether more allegations will emerge
- Current relationship status
- Whether he will return to television
- Whether any formal charges will be filed
“I strongly deny any inappropriate behaviour and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
— David Walliams, as reported by BBC News
“In light of the allegations, we have decided to remove David Walliams from our Children’s Book Festival while the matter is investigated.”
— A Waterstones spokesperson, as reported by Reuters
For a man who sold more than 60 million books — Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia) notes translations into 53 languages — the collapse of his publishing partnerships in a single week is a staggering reversal. The editorial implication is clear: his brand depends on family‑friendly trust, and the allegations broke that trust overnight.
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Frequently asked questions
Has David Walliams been dropped from any other events?
Waterstones removed him from its Children’s Book Festival. No other event organisers have publicly commented, but several independent bookshops have reportedly paused orders.
What has been the public reaction to the allegations?
Reactions have been mixed. Some readers expressed disappointment, while others defended Walliams until the investigation concludes. Social media discourse remains heated.
Is David Walliams still writing children’s books?
HarperCollins has suspended its relationship, so no new books are currently scheduled. Walliams’ existing titles remain available.
Will David Walliams return to television?
No television appearances have been announced. His future in broadcasting depends on the outcome of the allegations.
What is David Walliams’ net worth?
Spear’s Magazine (wealth and lifestyle publication) estimates his net worth at £17 million. Legit.ng (entertainment platform) suggests $25 million, though that figure appears less reliable.
How many books has David Walliams sold?
Over 60 million copies worldwide, according to the content plan; Wikipedia states more than 50 million. Both figures place him among the best‑selling children’s authors of all time.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.