50 Facts About David Walliams

Early Life and Education

David Walliams' journey to fame began in Banstead, Surrey, where he was born and raised. His early years and education played a significant role in shaping his future career.

1. Birth and Early Life: David Walliams was born on August 20, 1971, in Banstead, Surrey, England. His parents, Peter and Kathleen Williams, worked as an engineer for London Transport and a lab technician, respectively.

2. Education: Walliams attended Collingwood Boys' School in Wallington and later Reigate Grammar School in Surrey. He pursued drama at the University of Bristol from 1989 to 1992.

3. Name Change: Upon joining the actors' trade union, Equity, Walliams had to change his last name from Williams to Walliams due to another member already having the name David Williams.

Career Beginnings

Before becoming a household name, Walliams honed his skills in various ways, including performing at the National Youth Theatre.

4. Career Beginnings: Walliams performed at the National Youth Theatre, where he met his frequent collaborator, Matt Lucas.

5. Breakthrough with Little Britain: Walliams and Lucas co-wrote and co-starred in the BBC sketch comedy series Little Britain, which first aired in 2003 and ran until 2006. The show was a massive success and introduced many catchphrases into British culture.

6. Awards and Recognition: Little Britain won numerous awards, including two BAFTA awards for best comedy series in 2004 and 2005.

Expanding Horizons

Walliams didn't stop at Little Britain. He ventured into various other projects, both on-screen and off-screen.

7. Live Stage Shows: A successful live stage show of Little Britain, titled Little Britain Live, was produced in 2006. The show toured extensively, further cementing the duo's popularity.

8. Spin-Offs and Adaptations: The success of Little Britain led to a spin-off series in the USA, Little Britain USA, which aired on HBO in 2008. Characters from Little Britain also appeared in a 2010 UK television advertising campaign for the Nationwide Building Society.

9. Come Fly with Me: Walliams and Lucas collaborated again on the BBC One sitcom Come Fly with Me, which aired from 2010 to 2011. The show followed the offbeat staff of an airport.

10. Big School: In 2013, Walliams wrote and starred in the BBC One sitcom Big School, playing the role of an uptight but endearing science teacher, Keith Church.

Television and Charity Work

Walliams' role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent and his extensive charity work have made him a beloved figure in British entertainment.

11. Britain's Got Talent Judge: From 2012 to 2022, Walliams was a judge on the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent. His role on the show further increased his public profile.

12. Charity Work: Walliams is known for his extensive charity work. In 2006, he swam the English Channel for Sport Relief, raising over £1 million. He also swam the Strait of Gibraltar in 2008 and the River Thames in 2011, raising significant amounts for charity.

13. Order of the British Empire (OBE): In 2017, Walliams was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to charity and the arts.

Children's Literature

Walliams has made a significant impact on children's literature, with his books becoming bestsellers and winning numerous awards.

14. Children's Books: Walliams began writing children's books in 2008 with The Boy in the Dress, illustrated by Quentin Blake. The book was a huge success and quickly became a number one bestseller in Britain.

15. Book Sales: By the end of 2014, Walliams' books had sold over 4 million copies. By 2023, his book sales had surpassed 50 million copies worldwide.

16. Children's Book Awards: Several of Walliams' children's books have been named Children’s Book of the Year by the National Book Awards. These include Ratburger (2012), Demon Dentist (2013), and Awful Auntie (2014).

17. Picture Books: In addition to novels, Walliams has published several picture books for younger children, such as The Slightly Annoying Elephant (2013), The First Hippo on the Moon (2014), and The Bear Who Went Boo (2015).

18. TV Adaptations: Many of Walliams' beloved books have been adapted into TV movies, with him often acting in the most memorable roles. Examples include Mr. Stink (2012), Gangsta Granny (2013), and Billionaire Boy (2016).

Theatre and Personal Life

Walliams has also made his mark on the stage and has been open about his personal life, including his struggles with mental health.

19. Theatre Work: Walliams has appeared on stage in various productions, including No Man’s Land (2008) with Michael Gambon and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013).

20. Personal Life: Walliams has bipolar disorder and has been open about his mental health struggles. He was married to Dutch model Lara Stone from 2010 until their divorce in 2015. They have a son, Alfred, born on May 6, 2013.

21. Autobiography: Walliams wrote his autobiography, Camp David, in 2012, which provides insights into his personal and professional life.

22. Inside Little Britain: Walliams co-authored Inside Little Britain with Boyd Hilton and Matt Lucas in 2006, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the show.

Notable Books

Walliams' books have become staples in children's literature, each with its unique charm and story.

23. The Boy in the Dress: This book, about a 12-year-old soccer player who likes to cross-dress, combined compassion and gross-out jokes, drawing comparisons to the works of Roald Dahl.

24. Mr. Stink: Published in 2009, Mr. Stink tells the story of a girl who befriends a homeless man. The book was also adapted into a TV movie.

25. Billionaire Boy: Released in 2010, Billionaire Boy follows the adventures of a boy who becomes a billionaire by accident. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross and became another bestseller.

26. Gangsta Granny: Published in 2011, Gangsta Granny is about a boy whose granny turns out to be a gangster. The book was also adapted into a TV movie and stage play.

27. Ratburger: Released in 2012, Ratburger is about a girl who befriends a rat. The book was named Children’s Book of the Year by the National Book Awards.

28. Demon Dentist: Published in 2013, Demon Dentist tells the story of a boy who discovers that his dentist is actually a demon. The book was also named Children’s Book of the Year by the National Book Awards.

29. Awful Auntie: Released in 2014, Awful Auntie follows the adventures of a girl who is sent to live with her awful aunt. The book was named Children’s Book of the Year by the National Book Awards and adapted into a stage play.

30. Grandpa's Great Escape: Published in 2015, Grandpa’s Great Escape is about a boy who helps his grandfather escape from a care home. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

31. The Midnight Gang: Released in 2016, The Midnight Gang tells the story of five children who have a late-night adventure in a hospital. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

32. Bad Dad: Published in 2017, Bad Dad is about a father who kidnaps his son to teach him a lesson. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

33. The Ice Monster: Released in 2018, The Ice Monster follows the adventures of a boy who discovers a giant ice monster. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

34. Fing: Published in 2019, Fing is about a boy who discovers that his finger has a life of its own. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

35. The Beast of Buckingham Palace: Released in 2019, The Beast of Buckingham Palace tells the story of a boy who discovers a mysterious creature living in Buckingham Palace. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

36. Slime: Published in 2020, Slime is about a boy who discovers a magical slime that grants wishes. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

37. Code Name Bananas: Released in 2020, Code Name Bananas follows the adventures of a boy who becomes a secret agent. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

38. Megamonster: Published in 2021, Megamonster is about a boy who discovers a giant monster living in his backyard. The book was illustrated by Tony Ross.

Collaborations and Philanthropy

Walliams' collaborations with renowned illustrators and his philanthropic efforts have further solidified his legacy.

39. Collaborations with Quentin Blake: Many of Walliams' children's books are illustrated by renowned artist Quentin Blake, known for his work with Roald Dahl.

40. Collaborations with Tony Ross: Walliams has also collaborated with illustrator Tony Ross on many of his children's books, including Billionaire Boy, Gangsta Granny, and Ratburger.

41. Philanthropic Efforts: In addition to his charity swims, Walliams has supported various other charitable causes throughout his career, often using his platform to raise awareness and funds for important issues.

Public Image and Cultural Impact

Walliams' eccentric public persona and his contributions to British comedy and children's literature have left a lasting impact.

42. Public Image: Walliams is known for his eccentric and often outrageous public persona, which has contributed to his enduring popularity both in the UK and internationally.

43. Impact on Children's Literature: Walliams has been credited with helping to popularize children's literature in the UK, encouraging more children to read and enjoy books.

44. Educational Background: Despite his success in comedy and writing, Walliams' educational background in drama has influenced his approach to storytelling and character development.

45. Influence on British Comedy: Walliams and Lucas's work on Little Britain has had a significant influence on British comedy, paving the way for future generations of comedians and writers.

46. Cultural Impact: The characters from Little Britain have become part of British cultural heritage, with phrases like "I'm a layabout" and "You all are" becoming ingrained in popular culture.

International Recognition and Awards

Walliams' work has been recognized internationally, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to comedy and children's literature.

47. International Recognition: Walliams' work has been recognized internationally, with his books translated into over 53 languages and sold in excess of 18 million copies worldwide.

48. Awards and Honors: In addition to his OBE, Walliams has received numerous other awards for his contributions to comedy and children's literature, including the BAFTA awards mentioned earlier.

Legacy and Continued Creativity

Walliams' legacy in comedy and children's literature continues to inspire future generations, and he remains actively involved in various creative projects.

49. Legacy in Comedy: Walliams' legacy in comedy extends beyond his own work, as he has inspired many young comedians and writers to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.

50. Continued Creativity: Despite his immense success, Walliams continues to be actively involved in various creative projects, ensuring that his unique brand of humor and storytelling remains a part of contemporary entertainment.

David Walliams: A Multifaceted Talent

David Walliams has made a lasting impact on comedy, literature, and television. From his early days at the National Youth Theatre to his breakout success with Little Britain, Walliams has consistently entertained and inspired. His transition into children's literature has been nothing short of remarkable, with over 50 million books sold worldwide. Walliams' philanthropic efforts, including his impressive charity swims, showcase his dedication to giving back. His role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent further cemented his place in popular culture. With numerous awards and an OBE, Walliams' contributions to the arts and charity are undeniable. His unique blend of humor, creativity, and compassion continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. David Walliams remains a beloved figure in British entertainment, and his legacy is sure to endure for years to come.