After a number of contentious comments, it may have seemed like David Walliam’s career was unstoppable, but now that he has been fired from his publishers, we can see how he has lived.
He was once the king of comedy, but now, in his biggest fall from grace so far, British author and comedian David Walliams has been let go by his publisher Harper Collins after many lucrative years.
The publisher announced yesterday that they had cut ties with the 54-year-old following allegations of inappropriate behavior toward young women, which he denies, despite it seeming his career has been pretty bulletproof with a number of ventures under his belt that have helped him build his incredible fortune of approximately £17 million.
The former Britain’s Got Talent star had released a number of books with the agent, including successful kids stories. However, he has since faced accusations that he had “harassed” junior female employees at Harper Collins, which he has denied.
A spokesperson said in a statement on David’s behalf that: “David has never been informed of any allegations that HarperCollins has made against him.” He had no access to any inquiries or opportunities to respond to inquiries. David is seeking legal counsel, despite his best efforts to refute allegations that he has been acting improperly. “
Walliams has admitted he won’t be spending Christmas with his son, so he is now anticipating a lonely Christmas. He former Little Britain star recently discussed how he and his 12-year-old son Alfred, who he co-parents with ex-wife Lara Stone, would spend Christmas Day together.
READ MORE: David Walliams breaks silence on allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards womenREAD MORE: David Walliams dropped by publisher over claims of inappropriate behaviour towards women
Disrespectful remarks
Walsh left Britain’s Got Talent after being caught making “disrespectful comments” during breaks during the London Palladium’s January 2020 auditions.
The public was informed of Walliams’ use of one BGT hopeful as “a c**t” in his remarks. He was also heard saying, “She thinks you want f**k her, but you don’t,” while speaking during the breaks during the 2020 series’ filming.
Williams quickly apologized in public for the incident. He continued, “These were private conversations, and they were never intended to be shared like the majority of conversations with friends.” I apologize, though. “
Fremantle, which produces the ITV talent show, apologised after the comments were leaked and reached an “amicable resolution” with Walliams after he sued the company for misuse of private information and breaching data law after the comment were leaked.
In June it was reported that he gave Nazi salutes while recording BBC panel show Would I Lie To You? The comedian was reported to have made the gesture twice during the filming of the show’s Christmas special.
He was reported to have made the salutes while his teammate on the show, Call The Midwife’s Helen George, was telling a story about her experience on Strictly Come Dancing, in which she said she sprained her wrist from “waving too much during the Strictly tour”.
The opposing team informed her that her wave was “too little,” which is said to have sparked Walliams to join in with a more vigorous wave that ended with a Nazi salute.
Williams, whose real name is David Edward Williams, was reportedly abducted by host Rob Brydon after making some light-hearted lewd jokes about George’s time on Strictly.
The Times, who first reported the story, said team captain Lee Mack looked distinctly unimpressed by the incident.
Would I Lie To You is owned by Banijay UK, a spokesperson. Zeppotron, a production company, declared that “any attempt at humor regarding this deeply offensive gesture, whether broadcast or not, is completely unacceptable in any context.” We apologize to those present at the recording for any offence caused by the recording, and it was immediately made clear during the recording that this segment would not be broadcast under any circumstances. ”
Little Britain
Walliam’s comedy style has always been close-to-the bone. In 2011, Channel 4 received complaints after the comedian joked about performing a sexual act on Harry Styles, who was 17 at the time, as he said: “I’d like to suck his c—.”
Along with Matt Lucas and the hit television series Little Britain, he became a household name in 2003.
In 2020, Little Britain and Come Fly With Me were removed from Netflix, Britbox, Now TV and BBC iPlayer because of their use of blackface and their portrayal of black, disabled and gay people.
After both shows featured scenes where the comedians portrayed characters from diverse ethnic backgrounds, both outlets claimed that “times have changed” since it first aired. A Beeb spokesperson said at the time, “We regularly review the historical programming on BBC iPlayer.” Since Little Britain first aired, times have changed, making it unavailable on BBC iPlayer. “
Lucas remarked in 2017 that he wouldn’t make those jokes about transvestites if he went back and did Little Britain once more. I would not portray black people. In essence, I’m not going to start that show right now. People would be upset about it. We produced a more obscene comedy than I currently do. “
Walshiams that in today’s cultural landscape, he would “definitely do it differently,” and they both apologize for using blackface makeup in the past.
His popularity has grown since then. He cycled the length of the River Thames in 2011 and the English Channel in 2006, raising millions of pounds in the process. For his charitable and artistic contributions, he received an OBE in 2017.
Then, in 2018, he received criticism for hosting a charity event where female hostesses were told to wear high heels and miniskirts in front of an all-male crowd of renowned businessmen.
After an undercover reporter claimed hostesses were groped and sexually harassed by attendees at an after-party, the men-only Presidents Club charity auction was postponed.
Walliams at the time declined to enter a prize giveaway that would appear in his new book because he said he was “appalled” by the abuse allegations. The comedian claimed to have left the after-party and that he had only been there as a host in a “strictly professional capacity.”
criticism of books
In response to criticism, David Walliams’ children’s book’s Brian Wong story was taken out in 2021. The book’s title, “The World’s Worst Children,” was previously Brian Wong’s Who Was Never, Ever Wrong.
After podcaster Georgie Ma referred to the book as “normalizing jokes on minorities from a young age,” it was re-released without the “harmful” story. The Chinese person, who wore thick glasses and was devoted to math, was called “the swottiest swot ever swotted.”
The first book, The World’s Worst Children, was written by David and illustrated by Tony Ross, with subsequent sequels and spin-offs. A new story will be written to replace “Brian Wong” in upcoming The World’s Worst Children’s editions, according to HarperCollins Children’s, after consultation with our author and illustrator [Tony Ross]. As part of an ongoing commitment to regularly reviewing content, the update will be scheduled for the upcoming reprint. “
Georgie explained the problems with the book by explaining that “wong” and “wrong” are two words that are frequently used in playgrounds to make fun of people with their surnames.
Just how Brian is depicted, exactly. He has small eyes, has a nerdy appearance, and wears glasses. they’re all harmful stereotypes. “
She continued, “The overall character plays on the model minority myth that Chinese people are nerdy, swotty, good at maths, not confrontational, and high achievers. Reading about that was just awful. I personally don’t want my toddler to be sucked into these stories where Chinese culture is misrepresented because of how I’ve got her. “
