Walliams swam the English Channel in July for Sport Relief

The 35-year-old actor and cross-channel swimmer received his honour at the charity's annual ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate in central London.

Ricky Gervais received a comedy award, while Jimmy Tarbuck was presented with a lifetime achievement prize.

Helen Mirren - not present at the event - won two acting awards, for The Queen and Prime Suspect respectively.

Other stars honoured included former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman, X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne and actor Ross Kemp.

Gervais received his award from TV's Keith Chegwin

His erstwhile EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard was named most popular TV personality, by readers of the Daily Express.

Ronnie Nathan, Chief Barker of the Variety Club, said its annual awards "reward outstanding talent in the entertainment industry".

"This special event is our opportunity to thank and celebrate some of its most prominent representatives."

Pop mogul Simon Cowell was named showbusiness personality of the year at 2005's event.