Author Chloe Combi has disclosed that rumors and warnings regarding the conduct of David Walliams circulated within the publishing industry more than ten years ago. Combi, who manages a program connecting high-profile figures with school settings, stated she was explicitly advised in 2015 to steer clear of the comedian when booking speakers for schools. According to combi, She had heard there were allegations about his “behaviour around young female staff” and says she was told in 2015 to warn schools that he was “not an appropriate booking”. According to combi, She was getting invited to events such as book launches around the time one of her own books was being published, and was also running a scheme to bring “high-profile and inspiring writers and speakers” to talk in schools. We were talking about [the scheme] and possible writers who might be good for the project to work well with teenagers,” Combi said. According to she gave me some great recommendations and, To me: ‘Whatever you do, don’t invite David Walliams, and FYI if you are speaking to head teachers or teachers, please inform them that he’s not a good booking, not an appropriate booking for a school’. And to be honest I had already heard quite a lot of rumours because those worlds are quite small and contained, combi continued: “I obviously asked why. According to she, He groomed her and they had sex when she was 17. Before going back to his house where he allegedly tried to lift up her shirt and commit an act that she now describes as a sexual assault, another woman alleges she met Walliams for a coffee when she was 15. Abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did, and whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous. But I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me, i have not broken the law. She said: “Women and girls should never have to shrink our lives or ambitions because of outdated, misogynistic attitudes, and the appalling testimonies we have heard in recent days underline how, speaking in the Commons. According to she, She believed injunctions were being misused, and that her colleagues at the Ministry of Justice were looking at how the government can intervene to ensure this did not happen. Adding: “The thrill is in the contravention of consent, she told the programme that perpetrators understand consent but they just enjoy the power that comes with ignoring it.
During an event, a senior publishing industry contact allegedly warned her against involving Walliams, citing specific concerns regarding his interactions with young female personnel.
Combi noted that this information aligned with broader rumors she had heard across publishing, writing, and television circles.
She emphasized that she never met Walliams personally, basing her comments on accounts shared by multiple individuals within those professional sectors.
These revelations follow a joint investigation by the Guardian and ITV News detailing various allegations against Walliams. The claims include accusations of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behavior, and abuse of power directed at several women. In his statement to ITV News and the Guardian, Walliams said: “Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with.
Walliams has formally denied being a sexual predator and maintained he has not broken the law, though he acknowledged expressing regret for past thoughtless behavior and a lack of sensitivity toward the feelings of others.
Allegations Against David Walliams
- Fan event: A woman alleges she met the comedian at age 15 and that a sexual relationship occurred when she was 17.
- In-person encounter: An allegation involving a meeting at his home at age 15 where he reportedly attempted to touch the individual.
- Workplace conduct: Claims from former models alleging grooming and attempts to initiate romantic contact.
- Professional environment: Reports of a sexual relationship with a junior HarperCollins employee and inappropriate behavior at Britain’s Got Talent.
HarperCollins, the publisher responsible for Walliams’s best-selling children’s literature, officially ceased publishing his work last year following internal investigations into his conduct. A spokesperson for the publisher reiterated that the company prioritizes employee wellbeing and has decided against issuing new titles by the author.
The broader impact of these industry accounts has reached government levels.
Media Minister Ian Murray expressed significant concern regarding a cultural problem within the sector that he argues must be eradicated, stating his anger at the prevalence of such abuse. According to giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Murray, He was “deeply saddened and also angry” to see the prevalence of abuse by men in the media industry.
Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson praised the courage of those who have come forward, noting that such testimonies illustrate the urgent need to address systemic misogynistic attitudes.
Phillipson also confirmed that the government intends to implement stricter regulations regarding the use of non-disclosure agreements. According to phillipson later, The government would “go further” on restricting the use of non-disclosure agreements, telling Sky News: “We cannot have a system where rich and powerful individuals, rich and powerful men, are able to silence women, buy their silence and stop things coming to light.
Comedian and podcaster Deborah Frances-White recently said Radio 4 that the comedy industry remains a space where young women face exploitation. She described an environment where professionals must carefully navigate interactions with male producers to avoid harassment while seeking career opportunities. She noted that these issues are frequently discussed within private networks, such as groups for female comedians sharing their experiences. Help and support is available at Action Line, if you are affected by any of the issues in this story. Having to make them feel attractive and avoid being assaulted as they influenced future employment opportunities, she described an industry where she was asked to meet male producers in darkly lit rooms “walking a tightrope”.
- HarperCollins in September announced it would no longer be publishing his back catalogue.
