Comedian's book gets the thumbs up from young fans

Mr Walliams was in Oxford to sign copies of his new children’s book, Billionaire Boy.

And youngsters, clutching copies of the comic’s third literary effort waited patiently outside Waterstones, in Broad Street, to meet the author.

First in the queue was Joseph Luciano, from Abingdon.

The 10-year-old lined up with his father Salvatore Luciano for around two hours and was the only child allowed to have an official photograph taken with the star. Joseph, a pupil at Langford Village School, in Bicester, said he loved Mr Walliams’ books.

He said: “I liked him on Little Britain. I think he is really funny. When he signed my book he said to me that I was special because I was the first in the queue to see him.”

The Billionaire Boy is the third children’s book from Mr Walliams.

His debut novel, The Boy In The Dress, tells the tale of a neglected 12-year-old boy’s search for a female role model.

The second, Mr Stink, a story about a 12-year-old girl who meets a tramp and helps look after him, was awarded the Children’s Award in the People’s Book Prize in 2010.

Billionaire Boy tells the story of the richest 12-year-old in the world who has everything he could possibly need, except a friend.

Mother of three Jennifer Hayes, who had travelled from Aylesbury, said she thought Mr Walliams had a real talent for writing with children.

She said: “None of my children were big readers to be honest, but for some reason they really enjoy all his books. He does seem to have a knack for knowing what will be engaging for them.

“I suppose he has his own childlike qualities and he is funny, so they connect with him.”

Friends James Curtis and Milo Murgatroyd, both 11, from Wolvercote, Oxford, said they were looking forward to meeting the star.

Meanwhile, Alison Mountford queued for an hour and a half with children Scarlet, seven, and Harry, 11. Harry, from Warborough, added: “He is so funny. His books are great.”