English comedian and writer David Walliams was BOTD in 1971. Born in London, he was educated at private schools, and studied drama at the University of Bristol. He also performed in the National Youth Theatre, where he met his future comedy partner Matt Lucas. In 1996, they co-wrote and starred in the radio comedy show Mash and Peas, followed by the short-lived TV sketch series Sir Bernard’s Stately Homes. They rose to great public attention with their 2000 radio show Little Britain, a sketch show featuring a series of suburban grotesques, intended to parody British culture. The show’s success led to an offer to develop the series for television. The resulting series, also titled Little Britain, premiered in 2003 and became a national phenomenon, vaulting them to stardom. Walliams’ most memorable characters included Eddie/Emily Howard, an unconvincing transvestite with the tiring catchphrase “I’m a lady! That’s what I am, a lady! I do lady things!” and Tory ministerial aide Sebastian Love who fancies his male boss. After five wildly successful seasons, they retired the show. Post-Little Britain, Walliams promptly launched a second career as a children’s writer, publishing his first book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. To date, he has published 44 children’s titles, selling over 50 million copies worldwide, making him one of Britain’s most successful writers. He and Lucas reunited in 2010 for the short-lived TV sitcom Come Fly With Me. In 2012, he became a judge on TV talent show Britain’s Got Talent, remaining with the series until 2022. In 2020, Little Britain was removed from streaming services Netflix and BBC iPlayer following criticisms of its racial and sexual stereotyping and transphobia, prompting Lucas and Walliams to issue public apologies. Widely assumed to be gay because of his camp mannerisms, Walliams steadfastly maintained his heterosexuality throughout the Little Britain years. In 2009, he married model Lara Stone, with whom he had two children, divorcing in 2015. In a 2024 interview, Walliams admitted to “fooling around with guys” and speculated that he was non-binary. Fiercely protective of his personal life, his current relationship status is unknown.