David Walliams relishing new Big School role

David Walliams says playing it straight in comedy Big School is helping shake off Little Britain.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge is hapless teacher Mr Church in the BBC sitcom, back for a new series this week.

“Little Britain was such a hit and it’s always tricky to know how to follow something like that,” he says.

“So the sensible thing was to do something completely different. I wanted this series to reveal a bit more of myself as an actor with perhaps not so many layers of glasses and prosthetics.

“I also wanted to write a more grown up story, a love story. And to be a bit more empathetic with characters people will really care about and that the audience will want to see do well.”

Gormless and lovesick are just a couple of words that could be used to describe science teacher, Mr Church with Catherine Tate’s Miss Postern the object of his affections.

“Mr Church is very uptight which is why he has never had any success with the opposite sex his entire life. If you’ve never been married, there’s a danger you’ll get set in your ways.”

Big School was a surprise hit in its Friday night slot. And Walliams revealed that there was a crossover as he used a bit of his BGT influence.

With co-writers the Dawson Brothers he came up with a part for Jack Carroll, the teenage comic with cerebral palsy who was runner-up on last year’s BGT.

“He was perfect to play a kid in this series and was really funny,” adds David.

“I’ve stayed in touch with him and his and I’m delighted he wanted to be a part of this.”