Agency Drops David Walliams After Misconduct Allegations

Independent Talent Group has dropped David Walliams, the author, after allegations of sexual misconduct against him were published. The agency confirmed the decision to Deadline. In its statement, it said it was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations and is "no longer representing him in any capacity."

Independent Talent Group had been his long-time literary agent. Agent Paul Stevens had represented him for the best part of two decades, and he brokered Walliams's partnership with the publisher HarperCollins. Walliams's profile was live on the agency's website as recently as Monday, 9 November. It has since been removed.

HarperCollins has also cut ties. It published his books, including The Boy in the Dress and Gangsta Granny. According to Deadline, the publisher has dropped him and stopped publishing his back catalogue, meaning his existing titles are no longer being put out. Talent agency YMU says it no longer represents him, and his profile has come off its website too.

The allegations were published by ITV News and The Guardian in a joint investigation. They claim Walliams used his fame to prey on women as young as 15. They say he contacted them through work, including Britain's Got Talent, to pursue them for sexual purposes.

Walliams denies all of it. He told ITV News: "I am not a sexual predator... I have not broken the law." He has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Before publication, Walliams went to court to try to stop the investigation from running. He argued it could lead to his suicide. He lost his bid for an injunction, which is a court order that would have blocked publication.

During that hearing, his lawyers told the court he had made two attempts to take his own life because of the allegations.

The allegations remain just that, and Walliams says he has done nothing unlawful. For the people involved, though, the fallout is already visible: a literary agency, a publisher and a talent agency have all moved away from him within days.

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