It may be of no surprise to viewers of the hit BBC2 show Little Britainthat David Walliams (BA 1992) likes to dress up in women’s clothes, but to go from this, or from his recent charity swim crossing of the English Channel, to writing a children’s book on cross-dressing? Some of our alumni are full of surprises…
Walliams’ debut novel The Boy in the Dress tells the story of Dennis, a 12-year-old boy who, among the many trials of his young life, finds himself wearing dresses in a bid to win the heart of Lisa, ‘the most beautiful girl in the school’. It is illustrated by the great children’s illustrator Quentin Blake, a major coup for the author, who describes himself as being ‘thrilled beyond measure’ to work with such a legend.
The unusual book has been applauded for its promotion of freedom and tolerance, and is sure to strike a chord among its young readership.
The Boy in the Dress is published by Harper Collins.