David Walliams Completes Charity Swim

David Walliams has completed his epic 140-mile charity swim in the River Thames after battling diarrhoea and vomiting.

The comedy star, who suffered from "Thames tummy" during the journey, swam from Gloucestershire to central London in eight days and managed to raise around £1m for Sport Relief.

Walliams completed the challenge after reaching Westminster Bridge, cheered on by thousands of fans.

His final approach was one of the most gruelling of his journey as he battled the tidal section of the river, dodging debris and strong currents.

Walliams had inoculations and was given a precautionary course of antibiotics in order to brave the Thames.

Part of the river has had 500,000 cubic metres of sewage poured into it in the past week.

As well as suffering aches and pains, Walliams, who started his swim in Lechlade in Gloucestershire - has also struggled with a painful rash where his wetsuit has rubbed his neck.

He had initially planned to do the journey in trunks, but the cold water conditions meant he needed further protection.

He has been supported by wife Lara Stone, who travelled in a support boat, and was met along the way by celebrity friends including comics Jimmy Carr, Miranda Hart and Rob Brydon.

Walliams' mother, Kathleen, said: "I feel people think they're part of this because they can actually see him doing it.

"He's the, sort of, nation's sweetheart because he's doing this - rescuing dogs along the way and waving to people when all he wants to do is lay down almost. I'm very, very proud of him."