David Walliams, once a performer who captivated massive audiences of 21,000 and along with his former comedic partner Matt Lucas, entertained over a million fans with their “Little Britain Live” stage show, faced a much smaller crowd over the weekend. The renowned comedian appeared before just 48 attendees as he hosted a ‘storytelling adventure for kids and families’ at a local pub near his north London residence.

This intimate gathering comes in the wake of Walliams’ recent controversies. The “Gangsta Granny” author experienced a significant career setback after being dropped by his publisher, HarperCollins, following allegations of harassment towards employees.

Walliams, 54, was seen arriving at the Circle & Star theatre, located above the Horseshoe pub in Hampstead. He appeared to have difficulty finding the stage entrance. Dressed casually in jeans and a bomber jacket, he refrained from commenting when approached by the Daily Mail regarding his recent turbulent period.

Audience members expressed mixed feelings about the controversy surrounding Walliams. One attendee remarked, “His children’s books are amazing, but separating the work from the allegations is challenging once such claims are made.”

Dressed in jeans and a bomber jacket, he made no comment when quizzed by the Daily Mail about how he was feeling after a bruising few weeks. 

Asked whether it was possible to separate the scandal surrounding him from his work, one theatre-goer said: ‘His kids’ books are fabulous, but I don’t know, I think it’s very difficult once there’s been allegations.’

David Walliams appeared before an audience of just 48 at the weekend as he hosted a ‘storytelling adventure for kids and families’ at a pub near to his home in north London

Walliams entertained guests at the Circle & Star theatre, above the Horseshoe pub in Hampstead (pictured) 

In a statement released in December, HarperCollins said: ‘After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams. The author is aware of this decision.’ 

A spokesperson for Walliams said in a statement that he ‘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,’ the statement said.

The publisher said it would not comment on internal matters, ‘to respect the privacy of individuals’.

‘HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns,’ it said.

Walliams has published over 40 children’s books and sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to his website. 

Several of them, including Gangsta Granny, have been adapted into BBC comedy dramas and stage productions.

A spokesperson for Walliams said in a statement to the Press Association: ‘David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins. 

Dressed in jeans and a bomber jacket, he made no comment when quizzed by the Daily Mail about how he was feeling after a bruising few weeks

It followed the Gangsta Granny author’s fall from grace after he was dropped by his publisher HarperCollins after claims that he harassed employees at the firm

‘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.’ 

Walliams has written books including The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny, the latter of which was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.

The TV star, real name David Edward Williams, was a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, but left the role in 2022 after he apologised for making ‘disrespectful comments’ about auditioning contestants during filming breaks at the London Palladium in January 2020.

In 2023 Britain’s Got Talent producer Fremantle apologised and reached an ‘amicable resolution’ with Walliams after the remarks he made while on the show were leaked.

Walliams, who appeared on the ITV talent show between 2012 and 2022, was suing the company for misuse of private information and for breaching UK General Data Protection Regulation (UKGDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The comedian, actor and presenter was made an OBE in 2017 for services to the arts and charity, having raised £2million for Sport Relief by completing a 140-mile swim down the River Thames.

Earlier in the year it was reported that he had made Nazi salutes while recording BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?