Little Britain star mourns father's death

Little Britain star David Walliams is mourning the death of his father, a spokesman said today.

Peter Williams died from liver cancer shortly before Christmas.

He was only diagnosed with the disease in September.

A spokesman for Walliams confirmed the news.

The comedian – who changed his surname when he joined actors’ union Equity – is comforting his mother, Kathleen.

A source close to the family 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.”

Mr Williams was a former London Transport engineer who lived with his wife in Banstead, Surrey.

The family were said to be shocked by the liver cancer diagnosis because Mr Williams was not a heavy drinker.

Walliams was close to both his parents and they were there to cheer him on when he swam the Channel in 2006 for Sport Relief.

The source said: “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 portray comedian Frankie Howerd in a forthcoming BBC drama.