To ban David Walliams’ books

[Strictlycomeparent]

When his books first started coming out (pre me having kids) I was a bit surprised as his comedy is very much not family friendly. I read one when mine were little and was totally shocked by the attitudes it was promoting in children. The books seemed mean and unpleasant. He is someone who I have never understood how his brand of ‘funny’ is seen as anything other than a kind of bullying.

So I decided not to ever buy them for my kids and ask family members not to either. I mentioned this to a friend and she thought I was being very strange and acted like they were children’s classics that I was depriving my children from.

AIBU?

Timely thread…. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15399863/David-Walliams-dropped-publisher-allegations-inappropriate-behaviour-women.html?ito=pull-notification&ci=K7GyOd9hRQ&xi=f7b18a3f-05a1-44bd-a0e6-43571cd81efd&ai=15399863

To give some information about The Telegraph link I posted above:

David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher following an investigation by The Telegraph into inappropriate behaviour towards young women.

Walliams, one of the country’s best-selling children’s authors, faced accusations that he had “harassed” junior female employees at HarperCollins.

One woman who raised concerns was given a five-figure payoff by the publisher and left the business.

This publication began investigating allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Walliams last year.

At last! Maybe he won't be dead after all before it all comes out about him.

One woman who raised concerns was given a five-figure payoff by the publisher and left the business.

This disgusts me. No wonder he continues to act with impunity for years and years when others cover up for him.

From the Daily Mail article linked:

Sources told the newspaper that the investigation led to several junior staff members being kept away from the author and one being paid a settlement.

Former employees also described how they were advised to work in pairs when meeting with him and not to visit his home.

Odious criminal of a man. And this is just the publisher part of it.

It’s hard to imagine any decent employer saying to colleagues ‘we’re taking you off this account so this client cannot harass you (any more)’ or ‘when you’re working with this client please only meet him in pairs and never go to his house’.

That his publisher did this and paid off a complainant before ditching him is shocking. Hope they get as much reputational fallout as he does.

I mean, he clearly hates middle aged women in his books.

Love the timing of this thread! I first heard the rumours about Walliams' vile behaviour with young female members of staff in about 2016 and haven't bought any of his books personally or professionally since.

I am delighted to be vindicated. He is horrible and his books are horrible and any good in them is probably the work of his ghost writer.

100% agree. We always talk about the books they are reading and I’m always more than happy to share my views. But it’s nice for the kids to come to their own conclusion about the books being very prejudice about sections of society.

I really liked hearing my daughter telling me that she thought the stereotypical Indian shopkeeper was racist and it made her feel uncomfortable so she wouldn’t be reading any more of his books. There was something else she took umbrage with as well but I can’t remember now as it was years ago.

It’s the lead story on Radio 2 news headlines that he’s been dropped.

There have also been rumours for at least a decade about him meeting young, female fans of his work, and making them sign NDAs before a couple of them they were admitted to his dressing room by themselves (can't remember whether a show or something else).

That he continued with slightly older young women who worked for his publisher is no surprise.

I would say it was shocking but given his track record this doesn’t seem in the least bit out of character. Let’s hope he doesn’t get to write any more books aimed at children now.

Did you post this before the headlines op? I just noticed the story but maybe I looked at it later

The OP was at 5.51 and well ahead of the news that emerged later in the day.

I did the same OP. My DD never read or owned his vile books. Vile man who deserves everything that’s coming imho.

Never trust anyone who gets lots and lots of publicity from running too many marathons instead of their usual career.

Funny how these people hide behind all their charity work, isn't it?

Given the OP's excellent timing, this is now my favourite post of the thread.

The new CEO at HarperCollins is clearly taking no shit!
Good for them. If the rumours are true, I hope he gets his comeuppance.

I too have never found him anything close to amusing.
I’d never be tempted to allow him to get a penny from me.

I agree with PPs, I would not ban them, and if they can encourage some kids to read that is a good thing. My kids came across them first from gifts and they did like the earlier ones but the later ones not so much so moved on. We did meet him once at a book signing and he came across as very arrogant and rude.

They are bloody awful, and they have a very unpleasant tone.

Walliams himself is utterly repugnant but very litigious. I'm glad the new CEO of has some backbone.

Why? everything is problematic if you google it! People wanted Dahl banned, Jacqueline Wilson was deemed to be too much!! They watch more crap on the internet than in these books!!

Yes and have zero special knowledge. I don’t work in this field at all. It was a random musing whilst up with my child at silly o clock!

I’m now wondering if I have some special wooo powers of prediction (or maybe this was just inevitable and a coincidence).

It was only a matter of time. Everyone in the publishing world knew. One author tried to raise the alarm a few years ago with no real success. I hope she finally feels vindicated.

If you read this K, I am so glad this has finally happened.