David Walliams burgled as he's on Sport Relief

By Sean Hamilton Showbiz Editor And Grant Hodgson Sean.Hamilton@sundaymirror.co.uk 16/03/2008

EXCLUSIVE Walliams burgled as he stars in Sport Relief

Comic David Walliams had his home burgled - while he was appearing live on BBC's Sports Relief.

The Little Britain star knew nothing of the crime until he arrived home yesterday morning.

Police believe the criminals targeted Walliams knowing he would be in the studio on Friday night to talk about his highly-publicised charity swim across the Gibraltar Straits with rower James Cracknell.

It is similar to a recent crime wave against Liverpool FC players whose homes were raided as they played.

Walliams, 36, called police to his London mansion, Supernova Heights - once owned by Noel Gallagher - yesterday after spending the night at a friend's house.

It is not known yet what was stolen, but a police forensic officer spent over five hours inside the house looking for evidence.

When Walliams emerged, looking thoroughly miserable, from the house in the afternoon he would not speak about it. He then went shopping for keys.

A neighbour said: "David was clearly very angry, as you'd expect. There were no obvious signs of a break-in and the house seems to be bristling with security.

"It is clearly alarmed and there are grills over all of the windows so the burglars must have known what they were doing to get in."

Walliams was forced to cancel an interview with Jonathan Ross on BBC Radio 2 yesterday after learning about the house-break.

Ross told listeners: "He had an unfortunate accident at home." The comedian bought the house from actress Davinia Taylor for £3million in 2005 and spent £200,000 on extensive renovations.

Taylor bought it from Noel Gallagher in 1999 - who named the property after his hit Champagne Supernova.