https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9 A Star image analysis of David Walliams en-us 2020-03-31 14:27:34 UTC 2026-01-29 16:23:50 UTC hello@padlet.com 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484602447 20th August, 1971.]]> 2020-03-31 14:44:21 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484602447 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484699789 Here Walliams discusses his struggle with depression. This interview shows Walliams making the choice to take his health from private to public sphere in the hope to help other people suffering life him and to reduce the stigma of depression/bipolar. ]]> 2020-03-31 15:18:58 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484699789 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484712469 Walliams grew up in Wimbledon, London with his parents. (See image below). 
He studied at an all-boys Grammar School and then at the University of Bristol with a BA in Drama (1989 - 1992).
During his university holidays in 1990, Walliams met Matt Lucas at the National Youth Theatre.]]> 2020-03-31 15:23:25 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484712469 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484715063 In this clip, Walliams discusses his 'campuses' and questions around his sexuality. 
It is difficult to know for sure whether being camp is a persona he puts on or it is just him. His sexuality is now part of the public sphere surrounding Walliams - maybe something he'd have preferred to keep in his private sphere.]]> 2020-03-31 15:24:19 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484715063 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484724930 Here Walliams' mental health is put under scrutiny. Walliams may have chosen to speak out about his suicidal attempts to make himself more appealing and approachable to a wider audience, demonstrating he is normal, just like everyone else.]]> 2020-03-31 15:27:22 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484724930 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484737792 Due to Walliams taking on his swimming challenges, Bear Grylls sets Walliams his own challenge. In this documentary, we see Walliams as himself and what his natural star image is. He is sharing his experiences with his fans and the audience, creating a relationship between the two as the audience are watching Walliams every step of the way.]]> 2020-03-31 15:31:57 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484737792 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484742743 We see here how the tabloid play a role in showing the wider public Walliams' star image and critique him. This article suggests that his happiness was just a persona put on in public, whilst hiding his depression.]]> 2020-03-31 15:33:43 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484742743 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484753658 Walliams goes solo with the sitcom 'Big School'. The interview focuses on his new sitcom, but inevitably always questions Walliams on his sexuality and previous sketch shows.]]> 2020-03-31 15:37:39 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484753658 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484758645 Walliams becomes a judge on Britain's Got Talent, reinforcing his new star image as a family man. He supports more unusual acts and gives them the platform to be heard.]]> 2020-03-31 15:39:22 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484758645 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484768290 Here Walliams discusses his own success as a children's author and it is interesting to see how he presents his star image when being interviewed. ]]> 2020-03-31 15:42:49 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484768290 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484776707 It is apparent that Walliams adapts his star image depending on what TV show he is on. On Daytime he appears as the family man discussing his children's books, but on evening Chat shows, he is more camp and rude with his humour. Again this suggests that Walliams is aware of which audience is watching and makes his star image appropriately match. ]]> 2020-03-31 15:45:27 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484776707 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484783039 This morning, 2018. Discussing his children's books.]]> 2020-03-31 15:47:38 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484783039 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484786809 BBC Breakfast discussing his children's books, but also the transition in his career from comedian to children's author.]]> 2020-03-31 15:49:02 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484786809 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484794489 Walliams knows that his audience will be adults so he is able to discuss parts of his star image that aren't appropriate for his child audience, such as his sexuality. ]]> 2020-03-31 15:51:49 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484794489 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484795809 Here we can see a glimpse of what Walliams and Lucas' relationship was like before their feud. Further speculations about Walliams' sexuality occur, knowing that Lucas is openly gay.]]> 2020-03-31 15:52:19 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484795809 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484850455 Walliams had to change his stage name from David Williams to David Walliams when he joined the actors' union Equity. 
This shows that from the beginning of his career, he had to change his star image and who he was.]]> 2020-03-31 16:12:48 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484850455 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484950364 Walliams married Lara Stone in 2010 and divorced her in 2015. She became pregnant in 2012 with their son, Alfred.]]> 2020-03-31 16:52:13 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484950364 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484955842 The tabloid press further speculate Walliams' sexuality, trying to uncover if he is gay or if it is a persona he chooses to put on when in the public sphere. Here we see a potential change in his sexuality over time.]]> 2020-03-31 16:54:11 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484955842 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484959875 The tabloid press hear from Stone's point of view about the marriage rather than from Walliams' perspective and it appears that his cross-dressing persona played a part in the divorce. Although, she states it is a persona, the speculation continues as to whether Walliams is gay or just plays to the camp persona that people have learnt to know him by.]]> 2020-03-31 16:55:37 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484959875 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484996064 We learn that the speculation about a feud between Walliams & Lucas was correct. This feud contradicts what the public might think of Walliams' star image. From what the public sees, he is a funny, but kind man, whereas this suggests he has a mean side to him that no-one knew about, which could potentially shock his fans.
The image of the two of them back together is a public stunt as Walliams wanted to end any doubts within their fanbase.]]> 2020-03-31 17:10:10 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484996064 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484999438 As Lucas and Walliams reunite, we see their fans respond to the news. Due to Walliams posting the photo onto his social media, it has actively engaged his fans to reply and respond, making them feel more involved.]]> 2020-03-31 17:11:40 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/484999438 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/485001794 Through this interview, we can see the relationship between Walliams and Cowell. Walliams puts on a persona of having a crush on Cowell and winding him up, whereas Cowell finds it annoying and doesn't play up to it.]]> 2020-03-31 17:12:42 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/485001794 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/485015884 Walliams' website indicates he is focusing on his new audience, children, and where he is putting in the majority of effort into his career: children's books.]]> 2020-03-31 17:18:54 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/485015884 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/485020494 Branded racist and causing upset, again this contradicts the 'family man' image that the public nowadays have of Walliams. This kind of humour adheres to his Little Britain sketch show days where offensive humour was used a lot. However, in today's society, it may not be as accepting and humorous.]]> 2020-03-31 17:20:47 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/485020494 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486482047 Walliams is known for being part of the comedy-duo that created Little Britain in 2003. This was where his original audience and fanbase came from. It is what Walliams was known for back then and what adult audiences will know him from today. His cross-dressing in Little Britain could have been him acting, or could have been part of his 'camp' persona showing through.]]> 2020-04-01 12:18:23 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486482047 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486487072 From 2008, when Walliams signed a contract with Harper Collins, we see the transition from sketch-show comedian, to children's author. With this comes a new audience of children who now know Walliams and would not have before. He is demonstrating his star image adaptability. His books are quirky, which match his character and he focuses on characters that are normally minorities in society. His books are so successful that there have also been films and musicals about them. ]]> 2020-04-01 12:21:01 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486487072 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486489727 Walliams is an honorary trustee of BBC Comic Relief.]]> 2020-04-01 12:22:26 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486489727 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486492917 By releasing free audio books for children during lockdown, Walliams is using the Covid-19 outbreak to market his books. This PR stunt will increase his popularity as although he is giving the audio books for free, he is getting further publicity (BBC Radio 2, The One Show). He is being seen as doing what he can during this unprecedented time.]]> 2020-04-01 12:23:59 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486492917 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486493484 Another challenge Walliams completes raising millions for BBC Sports Relief. He has a wider audience here due to his success as a children's author from 2008.]]> 2020-04-01 12:24:16 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486493484 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486502753 Walliams calls himself a "camp, British comedian". He is able to discuss his star image in an open and honest way.]]> 2020-04-01 12:29:06 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486502753 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486539125 Written by Lucas and Walliams, the book follows their lives for a year. They are able to document what they want people to know about their star image.]]> 2020-04-01 12:46:17 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/486539125 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/487556445 Here we see how Walliams considers himself and his star image on instagram. As a Britain's Got Talent judge first, then from Little Britain and finally a childrens author.]]> 2020-04-01 19:40:09 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/487556445 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488673008 This article shows that there has been a transition in comedy humour from 2003 to nowadays. The humour was "cruel" and "offensive" in Little Britain. Whilst fans of the show still find it funny, new audiences would not find it appropriate. Lucas even admits that the show would not be he same if it was created nowadays.]]> 2020-04-02 11:34:35 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488673008 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488680095 Walliams and Lucas created Rock Profile in 1999, a sketch show that broadcast before Little Britain, yet Little Britain is what the comedy duo are renowned for.]]> 2020-04-02 11:39:02 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488680095 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488680706 Walliams and Lucas made a return to TV with sketch-show 'Come Fly with Me' in 2010. Again it contained offensive and stereotypical humour with them taking the 'micky' out of certain types of people.]]> 2020-04-02 11:39:28 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488680706 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488684792 Again, Walliams' offensive humour appears when presenting the NTAs in 2020. We can see that his humour isn't politically correct and acceptable in 2020, compared to during Little Britain. A potential internal clash with his old star image (offensive humour) and new star image (family man) occurs here, where he is still trying to make offensive jokes. As the audience for the NTAs is mostly adults who remember him from Little Britain, he may play to that audience and present his star image from when he was on Little Britain.]]> 2020-04-02 11:42:09 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488684792 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488813288 The Radio times now focus their interviews and articles on his children's books and not on his sexuality. The shift with how he is presented in the media is also apparent, being more of a 'family man' than a 'offensive comedian'.]]> 2020-04-02 12:48:10 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488813288 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488882538 Although Walliams is presenting a family man image, he still portrays himself in a 'camp' way. The speculations about his sexuality come back as people aren't sure whether he is gay or putting on a persona to wind up Simon Cowell. This complicates his star image.]]> 2020-04-02 13:17:22 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488882538 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488900631 Access to Walliams' twitter.]]> 2020-04-02 13:24:32 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488900631 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488907734 2020-04-02 13:27:17 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488907734 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488930836 Walliams shows a sporty side to himself and completes various extreme challenges for BBC Comic Relief. He is using his fame from Little Britain to help raise money for charity.]]> 2020-04-02 13:35:49 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488930836 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488933445 2020-04-02 13:36:43 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488933445 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488946355 However, on Twitter, Walliams changes the order of importance of the different components of his star image.]]> 2020-04-02 13:41:25 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488946355 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488977374 Walliams receiving more acknowledgement for swimming the Thames. His star image changes from comedian/ children's author to hero.]]> 2020-04-02 13:52:40 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488977374 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488981893 Here we see how Walliams and the other Britain's Got Talent judges interact and chat about each other. Again, the slight obsession with Cowell arises and Walliams takes the 'micky' out of Cowell as he is such a serious person.]]> 2020-04-02 13:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488981893 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488989945 Walliams received a special award reinforcing how his star image was reach a bigger audience, including athletes and he was now respected in the sporting world too.]]> 2020-04-02 13:57:12 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/488989945 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489020045 Another element of Walliams' star image. Voted for by the public, it is evident that he is well known for many different areas of work and is incredibly successful at adapting his star image to what role he is performing.]]> 2020-04-02 14:07:51 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489020045 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489034129 This article highlights how Walliams adapts his statements according to who the audience is. Receiving an OBE means that Walliams is well respected by the establishment as well as the British public.]]> 2020-04-02 14:12:39 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489034129 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489039724 2020-04-02 14:14:36 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489039724 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489040581 2020-04-02 14:14:53 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489040581 201260118 https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489053854 Walliams received the 'Most Influential Public Figure' Award. His popularity is greater than ever.]]> 2020-04-02 14:19:40 UTC https://padlet.com/201260118/byhmcyz164a9/wish/489053854