In a rare and candid discussion about his family life, comedian and author David Walliams has revealed that his 12-year-old son, Alfred, is dyslexic. The 54-year-old star made the personal disclosure while promoting his latest children's book, Santa & Son, during an appearance on ITV's Lorraine on Monday.
A Personal Motivation for Accessible Storytelling
Walliams, who has found enormous success as a children's author following his television career, explained that his son's experience directly influences how he creates his books. He emphasised his insistence on having illustrations on every page, a practice he champions to support reluctant readers, particularly those with dyslexia.
"People always say 'Do you know what I like best about your books? The illustrations!'" Walliams shared. "I'm very demanding with the illustrators... I know with kids, and with my son, he's dyslexic." He described books with dense text as "quite intimidating" for many children, advocating for layouts broken up with engaging pictures and dynamic typography to make reading a pleasure.
The Power of Ten Minutes: A Plea to Parents
The former Britain's Got Talent judge made an emotional appeal to parents watching the programme, urging them to prioritise reading with their children. He painted a vivid picture of the bonding ritual he shares with Alfred, who he co-parents with ex-wife Lara Stone.
"That 10 minutes, where you share a book together, everything calms down, you're not looking at your phone, you're not stressing," Walliams said. "My son puts his head on my shoulder as we read together and I do a page, he does a page, it's a lovely way of sharing a story together."
He stressed that this shared activity not only fosters connection but also provides a springboard for conversation, asking questions about the plot and characters.
Protecting a 'Normal Childhood' Amid Fame
Walliams also touched upon his conscious decision to shield Alfred from the public eye, despite his own celebrity status. He reiterated a long-held commitment to providing his son with an ordinary upbringing.
"Making a television programme, being in the spotlight is unavoidable and if you're a kid, it must be quite hard," he told Hello! magazine in a previous interview. "What's the point of them being on display, I don't understand it."
His new book, illustrated by Adam Stower, tackles the sensitive theme of parental separation, following a father and son who reconnect during a magical Christmas Eve adventure. Walliams described it as a comedy action adventure with a layer of melancholy, reflecting the complex emotions families can face during the festive season.
Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV1 and ITVX.
