May 2011 / News Archive Home

27/05/2011 - David Walliams Interview: Wall of Fame

David Walliams is joining Sky1 HD for a brand new comedy celebrity panel show. It's topical, it's troublesome and it's titillating. Here David tells us why he's so proud of the show, how he feels about Little Britain, and why he wants to star in a Bond movie.

Sky Magazine: David, what's Wall Of Fame about?

David Walliams: I have a wall behind me with 32 famous faces on it, people who have been making the headlines that week - it could be anyone from Jordan to Saddam Hussein. Then contestants answer questions accordingly to who's on the wall - if the question is, "Who had an effigy of them burnt this week?", the answer's probably "Nick Clegg".

SM: Will the comedy be risque?

DW: We record for 90 minutes for each half-hour show, so there's always some stuff that may be near the knuckle.

SM: Is it completely spontaneous?

DW: Most definitely! I've been on a few shows similar to this and you never know what's going to happen - which is exciting, but also quite hard work. You've got to keep your wits about you.

SM: How do comedians cope when they're not feeling perky?

DW: There's nothing like an audience to wake you up! I recently did 24 hours of shows on the trot and thought, "Oh my God, what's it going to be like at 6am, when I've been going for 18 hours." But having the audience really revives you and refocuses your mind. So shows like this are a pleasure to do. This one's a lot of fun, with a really great concept. We did a pilot with Jimmy Carr and Lee Mack, and they were fantastic - i'm really proud of it.

SM: Is the enormous success of Little Britain hard to live up to?

DW: It's great, it's the thing most people know me from. I imagine, whatever I'll do, I'll always be "Little Britain star David Walliams". The good thing is, because we played a lot of roles, we didn't get defined by single characters. I don't feel pigeonholed by it.

SM: Why was it so successful?

DW: It was just a satire on modern British society as we saw it - celebrating eccentricity. The "Computer says no" sketch, for example, we were pointing out an experience we've all had.

SM: Will it be back?

DW: There's no immediate plan. When you've done something that's been successful, you're caught between wanting to leave it where it is and remembered well, or doing more of it.

SM: Who is your comic inspiration? DW: When I was a kid I'd watch anything from Tony Hancock to Kenneth Williams. I love the Heroes of Comedy shows on Gold - Peter Cook, Spike Milligan and so on.

SM: What's your favourite ever comedy moment?

DW: So many! One is that bit in The Office when David Brent [Ricky Gervais] is being sacked from his job on Comic Relief Day. Then he gets up and he's got that Bernie Clifton ostrich costume on. Such a brilliant visual joke.

SM: Have you got any ambitions left?

DW: I want to play M in the Bond films - although I don't think they'll let me! Besides that, I've never had massive, wild ambitions like winning Oscars and stuff. All I want in life is for me and those around me to be happy, and to carry on making people laugh for as long as they want me to.

This feature was originally published in the June 2011 edition of Sky Magazine.

23/05/2011 - HarperCollins signs more for Walliams

HarperCollins Children's Books has extended its deal with David Walliams to 2014, buying world rights to three additional books. Publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh signed the deal with Paul Stevens at Independent Talent Group.

The first book as part of the new deal will be published in 2012, with details yet to be confirmed.

Murtagh said: "David is a wonderful author to work with and his original and funny stories have proven a fantastic hit with kids themselves. David is certainly set to become one of the best-loved storytellers of his generation and we look forward to some very exciting publishing."

Walliams has had three novels published by HarperCollins with Mr Stink winning The People's Book Award in 2010. His next novel, Gangsta Granny, will be published in November 2011.

19/05/2011 - Matt Lucas re-records certain parts of new show

Matt Lucas had to re-record certain parts of his new show for Sky1 ('And The Winner Is...') after it included an Osama Bin Laden jibe. According to The Sun, BBC bosses warned Lucas that scenes showing former Big Brother's Big Mouth host Jack Whitehall drawing a penis on a picture of Bin Laden would have to be removed. Whitehall also shocked the audience when he made a joke about Gary Glitter representing the UK at Eurovision. But fellow guest Ruby Wax had a warning for the young comedian. She said: 'Somebody will get you tomorrow.'

07/05/2011 - David Walliams completely renovates new Brighton home

David Walliams certainly knows how to treat his Laydee wife. The Little Britain star has splashed out £1.7million on an all-new marital home for supermodel Lara Stone. Walliams, 39, who purchased the sea-view property in Brighton last year, has virtually knocked it down and had it rebuilt.

His luxury renovations include an en suite master bedroom with his ’n’ hers sinks and a wall-to-wall mirrored dressing room. It will also house a “nursery-style room” – presumably for when Matt Lucas, as big baby George Dawes, comes to visit.

The pair have ended up a stone’s throw from Paul McCartney’s ex, Heather Mills.

My source reveals: “David was house-hunting in Brighton for some time – he loves the bohemian feel of the town. After exchanging on a stunning sea-view house, he and Lara decided to completely renovate it – the building is a shell at present. They want to make it a real family home and add loads of personal touches. Both David and Lara would love to have kids so she is keen for a nursery.

“As a supermodel she also has an extensive wardrobe, so David will be giving her a room dedicated to clothes storage. But he also has a pretty expansive wardrobe, what with so many keepsakes from Little Britain – laydees’ frocks, wigs and comedy glasses.

05/05/2011 - David Walliams voices 'The Itch of the Golden Nit'

Aardman Studios and the Tate have drawn on the creative input of thousands of children across the UK for a new animated feature. The film, The Itch of the Golden Nit, features the voices of David Walliams, Miranda Hart and Catherine Tate. Video... Photo...

04/05/2011 - Come Fly With Me is heading to BBC America

BBC America have confirmed that the premier of Come Fly With Me (Series 1) will be on 18th June at 11.30pm.

BBC America Launches new Comedy Block

BBC America is launching a weekly 10pm-midnight Saturday evening comedy block for 2011/12 beginning June 18.

Going with the umbrella title ''Ministry of Laughs,'' the block will be highlighted by a six-episode new season of BAFTA-winning ''The Inbetweeners.''

Airing in the first hour of the block will be new-to-the-U.S. episodes of ''The Graham Norton Show,'' followed by the season premiere of ''Inbetweeners,'' created and exec produced by Iain Morris and Damon Beesley. Then will come a new project from ''Little Britain'' alums Matt Lucas and David Walliams, ''Come Fly With Me,''.