David Walliams dropped by publisher

[azuleja]

Over inappropriate behaviour towards women. Anyone surprised?

Not at all surprised. I've always thought he was creepy even though I couldn't explain why.

About fucking time.

Is there ANYONE on MN who is surprised???!!!

They should have dropped him for his shitty Dahl - wannaby books.

But yes - not surprised. The guy is creepy looking and weird.

Drag acts seem misogynistic to me. I don't know why they are generally seen as ok.

Just to add, this is DS1 (now age 16), he bought pretty much all the books at the school fair at the time of publishing.

DS2s (now age 11) Y5 teacher and I had a conversation 2 years ago about how DS2 hates DW books - said teacher and I were both relieved and she said it if was up to her she would ban them from the school.

I'm ashamed to say that when we bought them for DS1 a decade ago we didnt read them as we didnt think for a moment they would be what they are. So we are those parents of one of those kids who read them. Because we were grateful he was reading something and we didn't think a kids book would be like that. It makes me sick to think we have paid the creep.

Weirdly on daily mail website the david Williams story seems to be having comments stopped or removed…

DS was given a DW book a couple of years ago. I threw it away. Even more glad now that I did.

We've been gifted DW books and I put them straight out to charity as I'd heard how awfully women are portrayed.

I know Dahl isn't great on that front either but at least I could explain to DC that they were from a different time and at least Dahl has some great girl protagonists.

I never understand what people liked or found so funny about him or his weird mate. Clearly I was the minority as it felt like everyone and their dog thought he was hysterical. Hats off to him I guess for being one of the most unfunny successful ‘comedians’! I always though he was odd as anything

I'll join your minority

Someone pp said he was very litigious

Maybe something big is about to break. I did read the comments earlier and they were mainly supportive of him!

I liked him originally but he’s got very creepy. What is it with men?

It makes it even worse that he peddled his misogyny in children's books as you won't be the only parent that has not read them before giving to your child. It almost feels deliberate on DW part that he's done this. And it reflects badly on HC that they allowed such drivel to be published.

Dahl refused to put his name to the original film of 'The Witches' because the witches in the book - unlike the film - are not women: they're some sort of demon (I seem to recall) in disguise. They only disguise themselves as women. He objected to Roeg making the witches actual women in the film. (Though I recall that he had some of those in the conference hall scene being played by men.)

I used to read the book with junior classes many years ago.

I never liked Little Britain at all. I'm not usually bothered by cruder or darker humour, but there was something unnecessarily ugly and mean-spirited about it? And some of the sketches were definitely punching down.

I always think of this whenever he is in the news. I felt at the time it was his true persona. Gave me the chills, a horrid man.

He gives me the creeps and always has

At least ten years ago I said to friends and family he gives me the utter creeps, dead eyes, flat expression, something about his smile - there is something wrong with him. Although he was funny in Little Britain, I couldn't bring myself to watch much of him as he creeped me out and have avoided him since. Unsurprised.

Surprised it's taken so long. His name was the one banded about the most when the news was about to break re another celebrity,which ended up being Russell Brand 😲

Not just men authors. Stephen King gave me bad vibes decades ago in an early book I read. I never read another but have caught bits of interviews he gives me the willies.

There's also a female author I picked up a book on holiday once, put it down pretty fast too. She writes about Scotland and crime there. I can't recall her name just now Christmas planning has scrambled by brain. Lynne? Someone. Anyway that book felt hinky.

I agree. By the time I realised DS had read them all and my friend who is a primary school teacher also didnt realise at the time.

Thankfully DS2 hates them and DS1 has moved on from them but as i say - he wont let me bin them 😬

Saw Rob Beckett’s stand up show last week, he made a joke about David Williams being outed next. I guess he knew something was coming!

Not Val McDermott?