The BBC is facing scrutiny for its decision to retain David Walliams in its Christmas programming schedule, despite his recent removal from HarperCollins following allegations of inappropriate behavior. The controversy stems from a report by The Telegraph, which detailed accusations against the renowned children’s author regarding his conduct towards young women.
Walliams, known for his success as an author and television personality, was dropped by HarperCollins on December 15, 2023, after an investigation into claims of harassment involving a female staff member. Reports indicate that the employee left the company with a five-figure payout. In light of these allegations, the BBC had previously announced plans to cease any future collaborations with Walliams.
Despite this, the corporation confirmed it would air an episode of the panel show Would I Lie To You? featuring Walliams on Boxing Day. Additionally, adaptations of two of his children’s books, Mr Stink and The Boy in the Dress, are set to be broadcast on December 21. The decision has sparked debate, with some Members of Parliament questioning the appropriateness of airing content associated with Walliams during this tumultuous period.
One MP commented, “Innocent until proven guilty. But with the BBC’s record for getting it wrong, it probably would be better being safe than sorry.” This sentiment follows a backlash against the Christmas episode of Would I Lie To You? after it was revealed that Walliams had made two Nazi salutes during the recording. The BBC subsequently apologized and removed the offending scene from the episode.
The BBC’s programming choices come amidst a broader discussion about Walliams’ work, including his adaptations available on the BBC iPlayer, such as Gangsta Granny and Grandpa’s Great Escape. It remains unclear if any of these titles will be removed from the platform, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the 54-year-old author.
In a separate development, Walliams is currently involved in the adaptation of his book Fing for the big screen, which is co-funded by Sky. Filming is taking place in Brisbane, Australia, and Walliams is credited as an executive producer. Sky has not yet issued a response regarding the future of the project in light of the allegations against him.
Currently on holiday at the luxurious Park Hyatt Hadahaa resort in the Maldives, Walliams has not publicly addressed the recent claims. Prior to the controversy, he shared images on social media showcasing his time at the resort, including moments spent swimming and relaxing by the pool.
Walliams has a history of facing public scrutiny, including a 2022 incident in which he made disrespectful remarks about contestants during a break on Britain’s Got Talent. He subsequently left his judging role and settled a lawsuit with the production company earlier this year regarding the leaked comments.
The allegations against Walliams, particularly concerning his behavior towards junior staff at HarperCollins, have prompted a significant response from the publisher. Following the departure of the company’s chief executive, Charlie Redmayne, in October, HarperCollins announced that it would no longer publish any new titles by Walliams. A spokesperson for HarperCollins stated, “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.”
In light of these developments, Walliams’ agent has asserted that he has not been made aware of any allegations and denies any inappropriate behavior, stating, “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins.” He is reportedly seeking legal advice regarding the matter.
As the situation continues to unfold, the BBC’s decision to retain Walliams in its Christmas programming raises questions about the balance between public accountability and creative expression in the face of serious allegations.
