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David Walliams was ‘crushed’ after comedy icon Rowan Atkinson delivered devastating advice when he met him as a child
DAVID Walliams has admitted that he was "crushed" after comedy icon Rowan Atkinson delivered devastating advice when he met him as a child.
The 49-year-old star admitted that his encounter with the Mr Bean actor, now 66, has impacted how he speaks to young fans because he doesn't want to hurt them in the same way.
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David discussed how he interacts with kids who approach him because they have read his children's books during an appearance on Lorraine today.
He explained: "It's different to just being recognised - someone who has read your book feels so connected to you.
"You want to pass on that love of reading as much as possible, and some day I might be walking down the street and someone tap me on the shoulder and say: 'You talked to me as a kid about reading and now I write books' or something, you just don't know."
Recalling why he feels so passionately about it, the Britain's Got Talent judge went on: "I remember when I was a kid I met Rowan Atkinson at stage door as I was a huge fan, I'm still a huge fan now.
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"I said: 'What advice would you give an aspiring comedian?' and he said: 'Don't do it'.
"I was crushed... I was crushed. I thought he was going to tell me the secret of comedy!"
David insisted that there was no resentment, adding: "I met him after, in the last 10 years or so, and we chatted about it - it's fine.
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David Walliams risks Simon Cowell's wrath as he mocks 'short' star by revealing his TRUE height 'without heeled boots'
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"But I always think that you never forget what somebody you meet says to you, so you want to make sure you pass on something that'll stay with them."
Later in the interview, David risked pal Simon Cowell's wrath as he mocked the "short" star's real height when he isn't wearing "heeled boots".
The comic compared the music mogul to a Jawa from Star Wars, with the characters famously standing at just three feet.
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