Hundreds line Thames to cheer Walliams' epic swim (From Sutton Guardian)

Hundreds line Thames to cheer David Walliams' epic swim through Kingston

11:50am Monday 12th September 2011 in Video By Martin George

Hundreds of supporters lined the banks of the Thames to cheer comedian David Walliams as he swam through Kingston yesterday.

The Little Britain star, who is raising money for Sport Relief, was on the penultimate leg of his 140m attempt to swim the Thames.

Crowds on the Queen’s Promenade in Surbiton walked alongside Mr Walliams and the safety boats and kayaks accompanying him in the water.

They were joined by hundreds more who poured out of town centre bars and cafes as he approached Kingston Bridge.

The supporters, who cheered encouragement from both sides of the river, were almost as wet as the swimmer as they braved late-afternoon rain on Sunday, September 11.

He earned a special cheer when he acknowledged their vocal support with a tired wave just before reaching the town centre.

Mr Walliams had earlier tweeted he expected to arrive at Kingston Bridge at 6.30pm, before continuing to Teddington Lock.

He was first sighted near Raven’s Ait just before 6.30pm, and took about 30mins to swim to the bridge.

The actor’s course is seven times the length of the English Channel, which he swam for charity in 2006.

Mr Walliams, who wrote children’s book Mr Stink, took special inoculations ahead of the London stretch of his swim after Thames Water had to release 500,000 cubic metres of sewage to relieve pressure on sewers.

He swam from Teddington Lock to Kew Bridge this morning, and is resting until 3pm when the tide turns in his favour and he hopes to reach Westminster by 6.30pm.

Did you cheer Mr Walliams? What do you think of his efforts? Leave your comment below...