These days, former Little Britain star and Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams spends much of his career writing hugely successful children’s books. But he’s stepped away from his desk to come to New Zealand to perform two different shows at several venues. One’s for children about his books, and in the other, An Audience with David Walliams, the comedian, 53, lifts the lid on his colourful career. The Weekly caught up with him for a quick chat.
How I get inspiration for my children’s books.
Sometimes they’re informed by experiences in my life. The Boy in the Dress was sort of based on me because I was the kid who would play all the girls’ parts in the plays at my all-boys’ school. Sometimes I just let my imagination run wild. The latest one is called Super Sleuth and is a murder-mystery set on a cruise.
My son Alfred sometimes comes up with ideas for my books.
He’s 11, so he’s the perfect age. I also have a nephew, Frankie, who has just turned 13 and I’ll ask them both what they think about my ideas. Alfred came up with the title of my book Megamonster. He’s asked for 50 percent of the royalties for that one. I’m getting him down to 10 percent.
An Audience With David Walliams is a journey through my life.
An Audience With David Walliams is about how [fellow Little Britain star] Matt [Lucas] and I each started our career in comedy playing to three people in a community centre. It includes the inspiration behind some of the characters in Little Britain and there’s stuff about being on Britain’s Got Talent.
I talk about some of the people I’ve met, including Barry Humphries [Dame Edna Everage]. He was a massive influence. I saw him do a show when I was 16 or 17 and I can still remember every moment of it. That was when I knew that I wanted to make people laugh. Later I got to be friends with Barry, which was incredible. He was like your funny uncle and I was terribly fond of him.
I was also friends with another of my heroes, Roger Moore.
I’m a massive James Bond fan. He once called me on my birthday and sang Happy Birthday to me. This is someone I’d loved since childhood and to get to know him well enough that he would do that was extraordinary.
Russell Crowe is another friend.
We were in New York at the same time once and went to an Elton John concert. Afterwards, Russell and I went backstage to see Elton and were told he was with someone in his dressing room, so we waited outside. Then the door opened and out came Bill Clinton. He said, “Hey, Russell, I was watching one of your movies last night, Home Alone.” And Russell went, “I’m not in Home Alone.” And Clinton says, “No, I was home alone watching your movie!” It was quite a surreal encounter.
One thing people might be surprised to know about me is how close I am to my mum, Kathleen, 80.
She’s been an amazing presence in my life and has been along for the ride. There was one time on Britain’s Got Talent when Simon Cowell was really late. My mum happened to be in the audience, so she stepped in and became a judge. She was just as fierce as Simon and very funny.
She loves the red-carpet stuff and meeting people. I even took Mum along to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace. That was a big moment for her. She deserves things like that because she’s done so much in her life to help other people. She does masses for charity. I’m so glad I get to share some of the experiences I have with her.
My dream job would be writing screenplays for animated movies.
I love movies like Despicable Me, which are so imaginative and hilarious. I don’t think it would be too far away from writing children’s books.
My other dream job would be writing a movie script for a comedian I love, like Will Ferrell. Will, if you’re reading this, please get in touch.
If they asked me to write the next James Bond movie, that would also be great. I’d star in it too, if they wanted. Actually, they’ve asked me but I’ve got children’s books to write and shows to do, so it’s a bit difficult. But if I could fit it in, I’d do it. I’d be the next James Bond.
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