David Walliams

Having found fame as a comedian, David Walliams turned his humour to writing for children in 2008. His debut, The Boy in the Dress, was illustrated by Quentin Blake and comparisons between Walliams’ style and that of Roald Dahl were soon being made....

Walliams was born in Wimbledon in 1971 but grew up in Surrey, where he himself became ‘the boy in the dress’ as his sisters dressed him up and he often took female roles in school plays. That desire to be on stage took him to a degree in drama at the University of Bristol and stints with the National Youth Theatre, and it was there that he first met his comedy partner Matt Lucas.

After establishing a TV career that saw him work with some of the best-known young entertainers of the day and reach audiences of 9.5 million with his sketch series Little Britain, he co-wrote Inside Little Britain, which offered glimpses into the show’s nine-month tour as well as reflections on his family life and stardom.

From there, a prolific writing career developed, with 19 children’s novels and 13 picture books – most illustrated by Tony Ross – appearing in just 15 years. Walliams became well-known for creating memorable characters such as Gangsta Granny and the Demon Dentist, and was awarded the National Book Award for Children’s Book of the Year three years in a row.