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Original poster

To tell you all that David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher Harper Collins?

270 replies

hotmumshit · 18/09/2026 14:19

What else is there to come out about this guy?!

OP posts:
LeaderBee · 18/09/2026 16:42

Gall10 · 18/09/2026 16:17

Really?

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Yes, really? Why do you care that kids enjoy his books? It's not like they're following his life in the media - To them, he's just an author.

pigsDOfly · 18/09/2026 16:41

Fiddlesticks1 · 18/09/2026 15:49

His books appeal much like Ronald Dahl but Ronald Dahl was original and DW is not. Take boy in the girls dress- original was by Anne Fine- Bill’s New Frock.

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I used to read Bill's New Frock by Anne Fine to my children and they loved it. It really annoyed when David Walliams' book came out about a boy in a girl's dress and everyone talked about it as if it was new and original.

No it wasn't his idea, Anne Fine's book was written years before his.

believeinbelieve · 18/09/2026 16:40

They're not great books but I do know a lot of children who liked them around 10 years ago.

My impression is that they have become more formulaic as the years have gone on, guess he ran out of ideas, if he ever had any original ones in the first place. (All those World's Worst Whatever.)

Calliopespa · 18/09/2026 16:40

PrettyLittleRose · 18/09/2026 15:54

Noooooooooooooooo, please PLEASE don't encourage the gifs @KittyWilkinson @😱

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The gifs are often very funny.

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 18/09/2026 16:39

neverbeenskiing · 18/09/2026 16:06

Good. Rumours about him being a creep aside, those books are just terrible. Poorly written and full of unpleasant stereotypes.

This 👆

PrettyLittleRose · 18/09/2026 16:39

hotmumshit · 18/09/2026 15:03

What's coming must be bad if they can't separate the art from the artist though

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What is coming? What are you on about?

everyoldsock · 18/09/2026 16:38

So they’re not going to republish his backlist. Cynical me thinks this is a virtue signalling PR move as (possibly) his sales have been declining, so what have they got to lose? Fuck all.

pragmatismuniversalsentimentalist · 18/09/2026 16:38

I never understood the hype over his books... They're rubbish! My kids weren't that fussed over them at all, certainly not books they 'loved'.

As a pp said they are a bit of a copy of roald dahl type books only more unpleasant

Happyjoe · 18/09/2026 16:37

LeaderBee · 18/09/2026 14:21

Separate the art from the artist.
if kids enjoy his books, so what?

Do you say the same for music? Little bit of Gary Glitter anyone?

PrettyLittleRose · 18/09/2026 16:36

PinkMagpie · 18/09/2026 16:23

I would imagine it is because this is a women’s discussion forum and David Walliams has been credibly reported to be predatory to women and girls.

if you’re not interested in the topic you don’t have to click on the thread

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Thank you for your helpful and wise and compelling information, and letting me know I didn't have to click on a thread if I wasn't interested. I didn't know this. I thought it was mandatory to click on every single thread. 🙄

That said, where did I say I wasn't interested...........?

Assuming much........... ? Wink

Where's the OP?

.

sillypossumsmum · 18/09/2026 16:36

Good. His books were rubbish.

Needmorelego · 18/09/2026 16:36

@Fiddlesticks1 the plot of Bill's New Frock is completely different.
Not similar at all.

PinkMagpie · 18/09/2026 16:35

I think you are right OP @hotmumshit that something must be about to come out. Walliams’ back catalogue is still very lucrative so that is a lot of money Harper Collins are stepping away from

Fiddlesticks1 · 18/09/2026 16:34

Billionaire boy -David Walliams - Millions - Frank Cottrell- Boyce
The boy in the dress -David Walliams Bill’s new frock -Anne Fine
Seems he tweaks original ideas.

believeinbelieve · 18/09/2026 16:34

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 18/09/2026 16:33

Wow, people must still be desperate for very low-brow smut!!

In the same way as David Walliams is the new Roald Dahl, does that make E L James the new Jane Austen?!

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Go and wash your mouth out immediately 😄

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 18/09/2026 16:33

Needmorelego · 18/09/2026 16:25

@BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows I have seen new copies of "50 Shades" with an updated cover picture 🤷

Wow, people must still be desperate for very low-brow smut!!

In the same way as David Walliams is the new Roald Dahl, does that make E L James the new Jane Austen?!

AlwaysExtraHot · 18/09/2026 16:32

believeinbelieve · 18/09/2026 16:28

I don't think many would disagree that Michael Jackson had some objectively great songs - especially (IMO) nearer the beginning of his adult career.

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Off the Wall is a deathless album.

AndyoutooInez · 18/09/2026 16:29

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

believeinbelieve · 18/09/2026 16:28

PrettyLittleRose · 18/09/2026 16:11

I still love Michael Jackson's music. The majority of it.

RUNS >>>>>>>>>>. 🏃

I don't think many would disagree that Michael Jackson had some objectively great songs - especially (IMO) nearer the beginning of his adult career.

DrWhosJazzyScarf · 18/09/2026 16:28

LeaderBee · 18/09/2026 14:21

Separate the art from the artist.
if kids enjoy his books, so what?

The books are incredibly sexist in parts. The art and the artist seem to be one and the same.

Fiddlesticks1 · 18/09/2026 16:27

Fiddlesticks1 · 18/09/2026 15:49

His books appeal much like Ronald Dahl but Ronald Dahl was original and DW is not. Take boy in the girls dress- original was by Anne Fine- Bill’s New Frock.

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I mean Roald

AndyoutooInez · 18/09/2026 16:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Fiddlesticks1 · 18/09/2026 16:26

AlwaysExtraHot · 18/09/2026 16:04

You mean Roald.
And I think it's generally accepted that DW is a Roald Dahl ripper-offer. Clearly his publishers positioned him as 'the new Roald Dahl' too, by giving him the same illustrator.

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Yes, sorry didn’t notice error.

FudgeFudy · 18/09/2026 16:25

Aviarythebird · 18/09/2026 16:10

I know what you mean but would we term his books art?

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I'd say shart is nearer the mark. Odious weirdo who somehow managed to steal not one but two careers. All in my opinion of course.

Needmorelego · 18/09/2026 16:25

@BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows I have seen new copies of "50 Shades" with an updated cover picture 🤷

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