David Walliams is the nation’s favourite oddball - partly for donning a pair of skimpy Speedos to swim the River Thames for charity and partly for his and Matt Lucas’ stellar hit comedy series, Little Britain.
As a BGT Judge, David believes he’ll bring a degree of empathy to the role, “I’m sympathetic. As an actor, I’ve been to auditions and experienced rejection. I know how tough it can be. I’ve also a soft spot for the more eccentric acts.”
Former drama student David Walliams met Matt Lucas at Bristol University. They clicked instantly and the pair went on to achieve mainstream success with Rock Profile, Little Britain and Come Fly With Me. In fact, Little Britain was such a phenomenal success that a spin-off series, Little Britain USA, was produced in the USA by HBO. And in 2010, Come Fly With Me ranked as the most watched comedy of the year. Wow!
Besides being involved in the UK’s most loved comedy series ever, David is an accomplished writer of critically-acclaimed children’s books. His second book Mr Stink was awarded the Children's Award in the inaugural People's Book Prize in 2010. The funnyman acts too, he has performed in West End plays, period dramas and Hollywood movies Run, Fat Boy, Run and Dinner For Schmucks.
No stranger to awards, David was honoured at the 2012 National Television Awards with a Landmark Achievement Award, for his television career and achievements for Sport Relief. Since 2005, David’s involvement with Comic Relief and Sport Relief has added over £7million to the charity’s coffers. His most recent endeavour saw him swim 140 Miles of The Thames for Sport Relief. Water guy!
When not offering the auditionees a shoulder to cry on, David’s fast becoming a comedy double-act with new pal Simon Cowell, “I’ve really gelled with Simon, we’re always winding each other up. It’s also great that I haven’t had to tone down my risqué sense of humour for the show.”
Star facts…
- David’s best friend is comedian Jimmy Carr.
- He thinks Gok Wan is his celebrity doppelganger. Err, if you say so.
- Gay and Alan (the bell ringers) are his fave ever BGT act. “They’re straight out of Little Britain”
- Weirdest thing a fan has given him? “Cupcakes of Ant and Dec that the lady warned me were inedible, unlike the real Ant and Dec.”