David Walliams

A largely dialogue-free sitcom in the vein of Mr Bean, and with a similar gibberish-spouting manchild at its heart, Pompidou represents Matt Lucas's welcome return to unapologetic silliness. The eponymous star (Lucas) is an eccentric aristocrat fallen on hard times and living in a caravan with his loyal retainer Hove (The Inbetweeners's Alex MacQueen) and Afghan hound Marion. Tonight's opening episode sees a starving Pompidou go fishing with a rockpooling net before a bizarre accident forces him to turn surgeon and extract a live bird from Hove's stomach - all in the pursuit of a square meal.

What Pompidou lacks in narrative coherence it more than makes up for in its fully realised sense of humour and attention to detail. The slapstick comedy makes full use of Lucas's abundant physical gifts and avoids the easy route of scatology, while a plethora of in-jokes and running gags ensure it's as appealing for adults as children. Arsenal fans, for example, will appreciate Pompidou's choice of undershirt, and there's even a brief return for George Dawes's unofficial theme tune, Peanuts. Above all, it's a genuine relief to see such a naturally funny man back on top form after a series of dismal misfires including David Walliams reunion Come Fly with Me and panel show The Matt Lucas Awards. In recent years, perhaps only the Horrible Histories team have mastered the art of family comedy with such instant aplomb.

David Walliams amongst Red House award winners

Books by Sophie McKenzie, David Walliams and Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers were today (21st February) announced as winners at the Red House Children's Book Award 2015.

David Walliams and Catherine Tate film new sketch

What a kerfuffle! David Walliams brings back his Little Britain character Lou to film a Comic Relief sketch with Stephen Hawking and Catherine Tate.

David Walliams visits Kenya to launch Red Nose Day 2015

As Comic Relief turns 30 one of our most committed supporters, David Walliams, has travelled to Kenya to see the positive change happening right now in sub Sahara Africa.

David Walliams led children's UK book sales

David Walliams made more than £7m from sales of his children's books in 2014, making him the UK's best-selling children's author.

David Walliams pens Comic Relief book

Bestselling author David Walliams has written an exclusive picture book for Comic Relief - The Queen's Orang-Utan.

Radio Times review

It would be tempting to think that the focus of this story is its creator, David Walliams, who was no stranger to rocking a frock in Little Britain and Come Fly with Me. But the comic actor turned children's writer has a serious point to make in this uplifting version of his debut novel.

Our hero is 12-year-old Dennis (Billy Kennedy), who lives with his couch-potato dad and unreconstructed brother. Dennis is missing his mother, who has left home to live with a roofer, but he soon finds an escape.

A gifted footballer, Dennis also discovers through his new friend Lisa (the school's coolest girl), that wearing dresses makes him happy. How will he reconcile his interests, or sneak past his fashion-police teachers?

Walliams's knack of championing the outsider and celebrating difference shines out of a story he says isn't autobiographical, but is "very personal". It's no wonder such a quality cast signed up, including Jennifer Saunders, Tim McInnerny, Steve Speirs and James Buckley, who has some of the best lines as a supremely negative PE teacher. Even supermodel Kate Moss gets to shake a tailfeather, and Walliams allows himself a cameo as a camp referee.

It's a refreshingly unusual Christmas treat with a punch-the-air final act, and a great use of Queen - have a guess which song they use.

David Walliams interview

Walliams still grapples with the trauma of his parents cancelling his stocking, but enjoyed dressing up as a doll.

The Boy in the Dress - what did you think?

David Walliams brings the festive fun for young viewers - and we want to know what you thought?

The Boy In The Dress leaves Twitter divided

Twitter was left in two minds about the BBC adaptation of David Walliams' The Boy In The Dress.