Walliams devastated after father's death

David Walliams is reportedly devastated after his father died of liver cancer shortly before Christmas.

Peter Williams' health deteriorated quickly after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease in September.

The Little Britain star, who changed his surname when he joined Equity, has been comforting his mother Kathleen at the family home in Banstead, Surrey.

A source told The Sun: “David and his sister Julie are devastated – as are all the family. But they have been a rock for Kathleen.

“It was their first Christmas without Peter, but they are a loving family and were all together.”

Williams, an ex-London Transport engineer, watched his son as he swam the Channel in July 2006, raising more than £1 million for Sport Relief.

The source added: “The best thing is that Peter got to see David’s success and was especially proud when he swam the English Channel.”

Walliams is to play comedian Frankie Howerd in a BBC Four biopic.