What a hero! David Walliams saves a dog from drowning as he continues with Thames swim

He's already being hailed a hero after raising nearly £600,000 so far for Sport Relief.
But now David Walliams' hero status has been further cemented after the comedian managed to save a dog from drowning during his Thames swim today.
While he was swimming along, Walliamsspotted the pooch, called Vinny, who had jumped in to the water to greet the comedian but had trouble getting back out.

What a hero! David Walliams today saved a dog from drowning as he continued his Thames swim for Sport Relief

Bravery: Walliams pushed the Labrador to safety after the canine jumped in to greet the comedian

Walliams then saw how much trouble the canine was in, and swam over the help Vinny out of the river.
Vinny's owner Steve Outten said: 'Vinny has hip dysplasia and was really struggling to get out just as David was swimming past.
'He stopped, swam over and helped meget him out - which when you think what he's going through with the swim is totally amazing - what a man.'

Hero's welcome: Walliams is applauded and cheered as he arrives at Bray Lock this afternoon

Support: Walliams said he has been amazed by the amount of support he has received from members of the public

Talking about his brave rescue, Walliams said: 'We had a little incident with a dog on the way to Maidenhead - I heard a splash and looked over to be met with the face of a sweet Labrador. I thought he was fine, but he startedto really struggle when he was getting out so I swam over and helped his owner get him out.'
Walliams' rescue mission came as he was supported by his supermodel wife Lara Stone, who followed him on a boat as he swam.
Lara even fed Walliams a cookie as he stopped for a quick snack break on his way to Bray Lock in Maidenhead.
Taking to her Twitter page this morning, Lara wrote: 'He really is flying!! SO PROUD!!!!! #thamesswim @sportrelief.'

Support: David Walliams' wife Lara Stone came to support him on his Thames swim today

She later added: 'Another amazing reception! So many people, too sweet, brings tears to my eyes.'
Lara wasn't the only famous face supporting Walliams today, as comedian Miranda Hart also popped along.
Aftermaking him some porridge for breakfast, Miranda was ready and waiting with a dressing gown for Walliams as he pulled himself out of the water for a quick pitstop.
Walliams added: 'It's been a great daytoday. My wife Lara has been in the boat cheering me on which was such abig boost to me. Miranda Hart came along and made me porridge too whichwas a lovely thought, but slightly less lovely in practice.'

Slowly but surely: Walliams, seen here yesterday, is in much better spirits today

Grinning from ear to ear: Walliams smiled for the camera as he prepared to get into the water this morning

He added: 'My tummy has settled a bitand I had fish and chips and some pizza last night so feel better.
'We have broken through the 100 mile barrier now which is great, but once I reach Teddington Lock the Thames becomes tidal and there's a whole new set of challenges.
'The currents and undertows are very dangerous so I'llneed to be strong.'

Eat up! Lara feeds Walliams a cookie to keep him energised for the swim

Famous faces: Lara was joined on the boat by comedian Miranda Hart

Walliams was also encouraged on the charity swim yesterday by his close friend, fellow comedian Jimmy Carr, who was there to congratulate him as he reached the halfway point of thechallenge in Henley-on-Thames.
Earlier this week, the former Little Britain star was struggling to continue with the challenge after contracting 'Thames Tummy' from the murky Thames water.
But speaking about his progress yesterday, Walliams said: 'It's fantastic to be half way - although if I think for too long about the fact that I've got to do as many miles again, I feel even sicker than normal.
'I'm learning to live with the stomach bug and had a more settled night. I even tucked into fish and chips, so I’m taking food on board again.'

DAVID

Support: Walliams was treated yesterday with a visit from his comedian friend Jimmy Carr as he reaches the halfway point of the challenge in Henley

AndWalliams who, at last count, had raised £573,724 for Sport Relief, added that the support from the public is spurring him on to finish the swim.
He said: 'The supportfrom the public has really taken me by surprise - not just the money raised so far but the thousands and thousands of people who are turning out to cheer me on.
'Ican't tell them how much I appreciate it or how much it lifts me. My friend Jimmy Carr came along today which was a lovely surprise.

What a woman: Walliams' wife Lara Stone is supporting him by getting in on the latest craze - trunking

Posing up: Denise Van Outen has also trunked - striking a swimming pose on dry land

'I couldn't hear everything he was shouting at me from the boat but I'm sure it was nothing but kind words of support!'
The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames is being filmed for a documentary to be broadcastin the build-up to the Sport Relief weekend in March next year.

Walliamsis no stranger to getting wet for a good cause - in 2006 he swam the Channel, raising £1million for Sport Relief.

Good sports: JLS also give trunking their best shot

He has also swum the Straits of Gibraltar, and last year cycled from John O'Groats to Lands End, also for Sport Relief.
Inaddition to Walliams' swim, BT, who is giving £40,000 a day to support David’s swim as part of the £1million it has committed to raise in support of The BT Sport Relief challenges, is encouraging the UK to cheer on the Sport Relief veteran by Trunking – striking a swimming poseon dry land.
Followingin the crazes of planking and owling, stars including Walliams' wife Lara Stone, Denise Van Outen and Rebecca Adlington
To sponsor him go to www.sportrelief.com/walliams.