David Walliams Sales Down 30% in Weeks After Author ‘Dropped’ by HarperCollins

The commercial dominance of David Walliams appears to be fracturing following a series of damaging allegations and his subsequent removal from the HarperCollins roster. According to new data from NielsenIQ BookData, sales of the author's books plummeted by 30% overall in the final two weeks of 2025, marking a significant shift in the literary market.

The decline arrived immediately after a Telegraph investigation revealed that the publisher had cut ties with Walliams following an internal inquiry into claims of "inappropriate behaviour" toward junior staff.

The Numbers: A Sharp Downward Swing

Until mid-October 2025, Walliams’ sales were already showing signs of a slow decline, tracking roughly 14% lower than the previous year. However, the publication of his latest festive title, Santa & Son, initially provided a seasonal boost, with sales rising by 11.2% year-on-year for the first eight weeks.

That momentum was erased by the headlines in late December:

• Two-Week Plunge: In the fortnight following the news of the HarperCollins split, sales dropped by 19.2%.

• Overall Swing: When combined with the pre-existing decline, the total downward swing reached 30%, representing an estimated loss of 15,000 units in just two weeks.

• January 2026 Outlook: The situation worsened as the new year began, with sales for the first week of 2026 down a staggering 41.5% compared to the same week in 2025.

Industry Repercussions

Walliams, who has sold over 25 million books worth more than £153 million since his 2008 debut, is one of only four authors—alongside J.K. Rowling, Julia Donaldson, and Jamie Oliver—to achieve such financial heights in the modern era.

However, the commercial fallout is extending beyond the bookstores:

• The "Backlist" Risk: While HarperCollins continues to sell Walliams’ existing library, the brand's long-term value is being questioned by retailers.

• Festival Removals: His absence from high-profile events like the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival in early 2026 has limited his visibility during key promotional windows.

• The "Roald Dahl" Factor: For years, Walliams was marketed as the modern-day successor to Roald Dahl. Industry analysts suggest the current controversy may lead schools and libraries to re-evaluate his prominence on their shelves.

A Denied Allegation

Despite the mounting commercial pressure, David Walliams remains steadfast in his denial of wrongdoing. His legal team continues to argue that the publisher acted without giving the author a formal opportunity to respond to the claims. A spokesperson for Walliams noted that he "strongly denies" the behaviour described and is currently pursuing legal advice.

As the "Team Walliams" brand faces its most severe crisis to date, the 30% drop in sales serves as a stark metric of how quickly public sentiment—and parent purchasing power—can shift in the wake of workplace allegations.

Source - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/david-walliams-sales-down-30-percent-in-weeks-after-author-dropped-by-harpercollins

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