I told Matt his writing was lazy and his bad behaviour had held us back
THEY are Britain's best-loved comedy duo, but in his new autobiography David Walliams reveals how for years he fought to shake off the shadow of comedy partner Matt Lucas's greater fame, feeling like an unknown sidekick.
The pair's close, but occasionally combative, backstage relationship is exposed for the first time in the book, Camp David, including Walliams' admiration of Lucas's brilliance – and his frustration at his lack of work ethic.
In our second exclusive extract, Walliams reveals the highs and lows of their continuing 20-year friendship.
"FAT and bald and pale. Like a giant egg," is how I'd describe Matt Lucas the moment we were first introduced.
"Wait here," a friend instructed as I was standing in the bar of the Tufnell Park hall of residence where all the National Youth Theatre members gathered at night.
Road to fame ... comedy duo in the early days
Autobiography ... by David Walliams
I was cast in a play which was heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Matt was on a course as it was his first year in the company.
The bald 16-year-old walked over. His skin was so pale it was almost translucent, and he had no eyebrows.
He looked like a cross between a baby and a very elderly man. I was nearing 19.
"Matt does the most amazing impression of Jimmy Savile!" said our friend.
"And David does this impression of Frankie Howerd."
"I'd love to hear it," said Matt with a tense smile.
I did mine, then Matt did his. It was quite good.
Matt smiled. There was an awkward silence when we realised we had nothing whatsoever to say to each other. "Well. I better be getting back to my friends,' he said.
"Me too."
We would not speak again for a year, but the meeting was to change our lives for ever.
FULL DRAMATIC STORY IN TODAY'S SUN NEWSPAPER
Adapted by BEN JACKSON from Camp David: The Autobiography by David Walliams, published by Michael Joseph on October 11 at £20. Copyright © David Walliams 2012.
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