David Walliams is on the Red House Children’s Book Award 2013 shortlist for his novel Gangsta Granny – an award chosen and voted for entirely by children.

David, who is also in competition for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, where he is up against Elen Caldecott (Operation Eiffel Tower) and Jonathan Meres (The World of Norm: May Contain Nuts) in the ‘Books For Younger Readers’ category.

Earlier this week David flew to LA to meet an idol of his – actor and comic Steve Martin for an interview for GQ magazine.

He later revealed on Twitter:

“Steve Martin was extraordinarily good company. And he didn’t mind signing my ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ picture after. I love him so much! Apparently ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ is Michael Caine’s favourite of his films. The Ruprecht scene is classic comedy.”

Earlier he had asked his followers to come up with questions for the “Parenthood” star. Having read his account on his earlier meeting with the star in “Camp David”, it’s good to see things went well this time.

Back last night David returned to X Factor matters again, joking:

“You can never predict who is going to leave ‘X-Factor’ on a Sunday night. I was convinced Louis Walsh was going to be voted off.”

Adding: “PS Robbie Walliams was magnificent. So great to have him back.”

Using an old in joke in praising his friend.

David is expected to attend the Pride of Britain awards tonight, together with the X Factor team and
Pierce Brosnan, Jon Bon Jovi, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Sir Ian McKellen, while Sir Michael Caine, Sir Elton John, Simon Cowell and Stephen Fry have recorded Rudyard Kipling’s iconic poem If to be shown on the night.

This post was written by guest blogger and reality TV showbiz observer Daniel Cohen. Catch up with him on Twitter here!