David Walliams saves dog from drowning in the Thames

PA

Yesterday comedian David Walliams saved a dog from drowning during his marathon charity swim along the Thames.

David swam over to save the one-year-old labrador called Vinny after hearing him fall into the water. The dog was struggling to get out because it has a bad hip.

The Little Britain star grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck and pushed it onto the river back near Cookham Lock in Berkshire.

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 swan over and helped his owner get him out."

Vinny's owner Steve Outten from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, said: "Vinny has hip dysplasia and was really struggling to get out just as David was swimming past.

"He stopped, swan 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."

David is now at the half way point, but he's apprehensive about the challenges that lie ahead.

He says: "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.

"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."

This isn't the first time that David has raised money for Sport Relief. In 2006 he swam the Channel, raising £1million for Sport Relief. He has also swum the Straits of Gibraltar and last year cycled from John O'Groats to Lands End.

If you'd like to get away from it all, click on the image below for our pick of the best autumn escapes...

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