David Walliams

David Walliams with Michael Palin at BAFTA tribute

He's one of the men paving the way for an outstanding legacy in television. But David Walliams, 43, was the one dealing out the questions on Tuesday night, as an awestruck audience heard Michael Palin, 71, discuss A Life in Television on behalf of BAFTA.

The culmination of two weeks' worth of wacky and earnest programming, this charity telethon looks set to be as jape-strewn as ever. Dermot O'Leary's dance marathon concludes, there's a new Mr Bean, and Professor Stephen Hawking performs with David Walliams. All in all, a Friday night in the pub looks more irresistible than ever, but don't forget to put your hand in your pocket first.

Radio Times review

The last time we saw Mr Bean he was bringing the house down at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, playing one note of Chariots of Fire. Can he (alongside Ben Miller and Rebecca Front) possibly be as funny for 2015's Comic Relief?

Anyone who's anyone from the world of comedy is on BBC One for this comedy marathon. Dawn French dusts off her dog collar to become the Bishop of Dibley (despite some famous rivals); and David Walliams gets in a right kerfuffle as patronising carer Lou, who appears to have a new charge - Professor Stephen Hawking. Miranda Hart, Stephen Fry, Russell Brand and Cardinal Burns also pop by.

There are stunts, dares and the unmissable sight of Dermot O'Leary dancing his socks off (will he survive this danceathon?).

In between all this hilarity are sobering film clips reminding us what this is really all about: donating money.

David Walliams and Lara Stone: successful & heartbroken

The comedian shines at everything - except happiness.

David Walliams has reportedly split from wife

Britain's Got Talent judge David is reported to be 'devastated' by the breakup from Calvin Klein model Lara Stone with whom he has a son.

A largely dialogue-free sitcom in the vein of Mr Bean, and with a similar gibberish-spouting manchild at its heart, Pompidou represents Matt Lucas's welcome return to unapologetic silliness. The eponymous star (Lucas) is an eccentric aristocrat fallen on hard times and living in a caravan with his loyal retainer Hove (The Inbetweeners's Alex MacQueen) and Afghan hound Marion. Tonight's opening episode sees a starving Pompidou go fishing with a rockpooling net before a bizarre accident forces him to turn surgeon and extract a live bird from Hove's stomach - all in the pursuit of a square meal.

What Pompidou lacks in narrative coherence it more than makes up for in its fully realised sense of humour and attention to detail. The slapstick comedy makes full use of Lucas's abundant physical gifts and avoids the easy route of scatology, while a plethora of in-jokes and running gags ensure it's as appealing for adults as children. Arsenal fans, for example, will appreciate Pompidou's choice of undershirt, and there's even a brief return for George Dawes's unofficial theme tune, Peanuts. Above all, it's a genuine relief to see such a naturally funny man back on top form after a series of dismal misfires including David Walliams reunion Come Fly with Me and panel show The Matt Lucas Awards. In recent years, perhaps only the Horrible Histories team have mastered the art of family comedy with such instant aplomb.

David Walliams amongst Red House award winners

Books by Sophie McKenzie, David Walliams and Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers were today (21st February) announced as winners at the Red House Children's Book Award 2015.

David Walliams and Catherine Tate film new sketch

What a kerfuffle! David Walliams brings back his Little Britain character Lou to film a Comic Relief sketch with Stephen Hawking and Catherine Tate.

David Walliams visits Kenya to launch Red Nose Day 2015

As Comic Relief turns 30 one of our most committed supporters, David Walliams, has travelled to Kenya to see the positive change happening right now in sub Sahara Africa.

David Walliams led children's UK book sales

David Walliams made more than £7m from sales of his children's books in 2014, making him the UK's best-selling children's author.