Award-winning comedian and author, David Walliams, visited Buckingham palace today to collect an OBE.

Walliams, 46, was presented with an OBE today by the Princess Royal in recognition to his services to charity and the arts.

Walliams said in an interview: “I love what I do. I feel very lucky, very privileged to be in the situation I'm in, and get to do the things I want to do.”

Raised in Banstead and a former pupil at Collingwood Boys' School, Walliams is best known for his comedy partnership with Matt Lucas and their collaborative TV show Little Britain.

Since then he has gone on to write a number of award winning children's books including Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny.

Walliams took his mother, Kathleen, with him to collect his award. He tweeted yesterday: "I am looking forward to taking my mum to Buckingham Palace tomorrow (the real one not the Lego one)...”

The comedian has also said that he wants to be the oldest person to swim the channel. He said he will swim the channel at the age of 70.

Walliams last swam the channel in 2006. He then swam 140 miles of the Thames raising over a million pounds for charity.