HarperCollins to stop publishing David Walliams' backlist as YMU ends representation
HarperCollins will stop publishing David Walliams’ back catalogue and will no longer represent his backlist, the older titles that stay on sale after first release. Deadline reported the move on 18 September 2026. The decision was first reported by The Bookseller.
The publisher had initially dropped Walliams in 2025 following misconduct allegations. This latest step extends that break to books that were already published. Walliams has denied wrongdoing.
Talent agency YMU is also no longer actively representing him. His profile has been removed from the agency’s website. YMU had previously handled his television interests, including his period as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.
Walliams is not currently in a commercial relationship with YMU following amicable talks in early 2026. His literary interests continue to be overseen by Independent Talent Group.
Walliams published his first novel in 2008 and has written more than forty books for children, including fiction and picture books. In January 2025, HarperCollins Children’s Books had announced a new collection of stories in his long-running ‘World’s Worst’ series. His work includes titles such as The World of David Walliams: Best Boxset Ever, illustrated by Quentin Blake and Tony Ross.
The publishing changes follow wider fallout late last year. Walliams was dropped from the Waterstones festival in December 2025 following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, The Guardian reported. The Guardian also reported that HarperCollins had dropped him after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women.
For readers, this means the availability of his existing books through HarperCollins will change. No new publishing arrangement for the backlist has been announced.
