Labour’s Got Talent: Walliams to deliver South Shields lecture.

David Walliams

Britain’s Got Talent judge and comedian David Walliams will deliver the 2013 South Shields Lecture, Labour MP David Miliband has announced.

Walliams joins comedian Jo Brand, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, actor Patrick Stewart and best-selling writer Bill Bryson, who have all headed the event previously. Miliband was thrilled to announce his appearance at Harton Technology College early next year.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted that David has agreed to deliver next year’s lecture. In addition to his television work, David is a respected children’s author and undertakes fantastic work for charity.

“The South Shields Lecture continues to go from strength to strength, with all tickets being snapped up within a day or so.”

Walliams, whose credits include the likes of Rock Profile, Little Britain and most recently Come Fly With Me, has become a renowned charity figure in recent years, raising more than £1m by swimming the Thames last September for the Sport Relief Big Splash Challenge.

Miliband added: “I know South Shields will give David a warm welcome, and we all look forward to the 2013 lecture.”

The lecture was established in 2001 and is free to attend.

Full details on the South Shields Lecture, including ticketing information, will appear online at Giggle Beats as and when they are released. In the meantime, read our feature on the 2012 lecture here.