British comedian David Walliams has been removed from the preliminary cast of the upcoming film The Road to Nevermore amid ongoing misconduct allegations, adding to a series of career setbacks that include his former publisher dropping his children’s book catalog.
The casting change at The Road to Nevermore emerged as production on the film remains in its early stages. A source close to the project told media outlets that the former Little Britain star had only been included on a preliminary cast list and never signed an official contract before his name was removed from the project and its IMDb listing.
HarperCollins Phases Out Books and Talent Agency Parts Ways
The latest film setback follows a sequence of professional fallout that began when publisher HarperCollins decided to drop future publishing deals. The decision arrived after Kate Elton became UK CEO in October, following an internal investigation regarding allegations about the author’s behavior toward junior female employees.
David Walliams’s books will no longer be printed by HarperCollins.This comes after the publisher dropping the children’s author last year after a Telegraph investigation revealed allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women. Walliams has strongly denied the… pic.twitter.com/qYP9QNyjth
The publisher announced in December 2025 that it would no longer release new books by Walliams. By September 2026, the publisher confirmed it would stop distributing his existing back catalog, phasing out physical stock, e-books, and audiobooks for his children’s titles, which include Gangsta Granny and Mr Stink. Alongside the publishing changes, talent agency YMU is no longer actively representing him.
Strong Denial and Legal Steps From Walliams’ Camp
Representatives for Walliams have strongly contested the allegations and the process surrounding them. Through his spokesperson, the comedian maintained that he was never informed of any complaints or given a chance to respond.
David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.
David Walliams’ spokesperson, via The Telegraph
Production representatives for The Road to Nevermore have not publicly detailed the casting decision, and the film has not issued an official statement regarding the reported changes.