David Walliams: 'Swimming stops me partying'

David Walliams has revealed that his commitment to swimming outweighs his desire to party.

Speaking to ES Magazine, the 40-year-old comedian recalled his Little Britain: Live tour with Matt Lucas, which happened to coincide with training for his swim across the English Channel in 2006.

Walliams said: "Many people in my position - comedians or musicians - might have taken advantage of the situation, going out after each show and getting drunk and high, trying to shag anything that moved.

"Instead I'd go back to the hotel, have some herbal tea, go to bed, get up, swim for three or four hours, have lunch and do another live show. It put me on an even keel."

The Come Fly with Me comic is currently preparing to swim the length of the River Thames next week to raise money for Sport Relief.

Walliams is alleged to be replacing David Hasselhoff on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel for next year.