Walliams helps dog in Cookham during river swim (From Bucks Free Press)

Walliams helps dog in Cookham during River Thames swim

9:18pm Saturday 10th September 2011 in Cookham By Lawrence Dunhill

A YOUNG dog was helped out of the Thames at Cookham this morning by comedian David Walliams - to the amazement of its owner.

Approaching Cookham Lock on his 140-mile swim down the river, Walliams spotted a Labrador struggling to scale the lock wall after jumping into the water.

Despite having just swum from Marlow, onlookers said he turned round and helped the dog, called Vinny, to safety.

Owner Steve Outten, 23, from High Wycombe, said: “Vinny has hip dysplasia and was really struggling to get out just as David was swimming past.

"He stopped, swam over and helped me get him out - which when you think what he's going through with the swim is totally amazing - what a man.”

Walliams reached Old Windsor this evening, after being cheered out of Marlow at 7.20am this morning and on through Bourne End and Cookham, where he was met by TV stars Timothy Spall and Miranda Hart (see video below).

A stomach bug from the dirty water hit the Little Britain star hard earlier in the week, but he now seems to be in better shape as he continues on to Big Ben.

He 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 started to really struggle when he was getting out so I swam over and helped his owner get him out.”

“My tummy has settled a bit and 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'll need to be strong.”