Bangers, mash and sympathy: David Walliams gets his appetite back as he stops to refuel with the One Show's Matt Baker

By Sarah Bull and Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 7:31 PM on 8th September 2011

Comedian tucked into some much-needed food during a break from his charity swim
Total raised for Sport Relief currently stands at more than £332,000

Having fought a tough battle with a nasty bug that has hindered his charity swim, it would appear that David Walliams has finally claimed victory over his stomach ailment.

The comedian, who is on day four of a mammoth swim up the Thames River to raise money for Sport Relief, was seen tucking into sausages and mashed potatoes at lunchtime today as he stopped to refuel near Reading.

Much-needed fuel: After two days battling a stomach bug, David Walliams appeared to have his appetite back as he tucked into sausages and mash with One Show presenter Matt Smith during a break from his charity swim

Walliams, 40, also used the food break in his swim schedule to chat to the One Show's Matt Baker, who offered sympathy and encouragement to the funnyman as he rested at Pangbourne, Berkshire.

He is currently swimming through the Home County and is expected to reach Caversham Lock in Reading sometime this evening.

Let's go eat! David beams for the cameras as he greets Matt with a hug as he got out of the water at Pangbourne, Berkshire

The official Sport Relief Twitter page which is following and updating fans on his feat, posted: 'The plan is to finish day 4 at Caversham Lock near Reading. Sonning was just too much of a stretch at this pace.'

Half an hour later, it added: 'Caversham Lock is around 4 miles from here which should see David arrive at 6.30 - 7.'

You can do it! David pushes on through as he swims into the village of Goring.

Time for a break: The exhaustion and hunger catches up with David as he calls a time out on his swim

The twitter page also announced that when David arrives at the lock, he will be exactly halfway through his 140-mile swim.

Earlier today, David was cheered on by an army of fans as he swam through the village of Goring where he stopped for a short break about about 11.30 this morning.

Well done! David is applauded by well-wishers as he leaves the water for a short break at Goring

Back on dry land: David wraps a towel round himself as he walked up Goring lock

According to local news reports, he was in good spirits and told the waiting crowds that he was 'pleased the water was warm'.

David has struggled with his challenge during the last two days after contracting 'Thames Tummy'.

Just give me five minutes: David sits and dries off as he rehydrates before getting back in the water

But he told Sport Relief bosses this morning that he had no intention of letting the bug stop him.

He said: 'I'm still feeling ill and getting cramps so am not great. I can't face food really either so that's a worry.

'But I can still put one arm over the other and that's what I need to do and keep doing.'

Brave face: David Walliams, seen this morning, has vowed to continue with his Sport Relief Thames swim challenge despite falling ill

Walliams's trainer Greg Whyte was becoming increasingly concerned about whether the comedian will be able to complete the challenge.

He said: 'David is burning upwards of 8,000 calories a day but his stomach problems are meaning he can't get the fuel in him he needs.

'It's a vicious circle which means his pace is slowing - but he’s ploughing on.'

Ready to go: Walliams looked tired this morning and only managed to keep down some toast

Fighting through: Walliams, seen here yesterday, struggled through the pain to continue in his charity challenge

But his determination to swim the length of the river is paying off as, at last count, he had raised an astonishing £343,471 for Sport Relief.

Last night he was greeted by his worried wife Lara Stone as he finished day three of the swim at Wallingford Bridge in Oxfordshire, only an hour behind schedule.

She greeted him with a big hug as he climbed out of the water clearly exhausted but delighted to see her.

You're a sight for sore stomachs! An exhausted-looking David Walliams looks delighted to see his wife Lara Stone as he completes day three of his Sport Relief swim challenge

Relief: Lara and David flung themselves into each others arms as he climbed out the water

Relief: Lara and David fling themselves into each others arms after he climbs out the water

Moments earlier she had stood by the water's edge looking very concerned as she watched her husband swim towards her.
She rushed down to meet him and flung herself into his arms, the relief that he was alright clear on her face.
Walliams contracted a serious stomach bug yesterday after swallowing some of the murky water.

I'm so proud of you: Lara holds David's head in her hands as she gazes up at him in admiration

Concerned: Lara looked close to tears as she watched her husband complete day three of the challenge

Doubts were cast over his ability to complete the gruelling swim after he started to suffer from cramps and a high temperature and many feared that he may not pass a medical examination and be allowed back in the water.

However, he pushed through his pain to continue swimming, setting a slow but steady pace.

Before a short break at lunchtime Walliams had completed five miles today.

Yesterday he said: 'I always knew there was a risk that taking in the water could cause problems, but now it's happened it's still hit me really hard.

'I was sweating in the night and have been to the toilet a lot this morning.

Taking a break: Walliams was photographed yesterday sleeping as he attempted to find the energy to continue

Fighting through: Walliams chats to a Sport Relief boss about whether or not he can continue

'When I heard the total raised had jumped to more than £200,000 it gave me a real boost, as do the thousands of people who have been turning out and cheering.'

'There were so many last night I thought Take That were in a boat behind me.

He continued: 'This is already much harder than I thought it would be - but this Thames Tummy I've got is making the task seem incredibly difficult and London seems a long way away.'

Pushing through the pain: David Walliams was seen having a rub down as he stood in his wetsuit before taking to the water. He has swum five miles today so far

Pushing through the pain: David Walliams gets a rub down before taking to the water. He has swum five miles today so far

A spokesperson for the swim told MailOnline: 'He is back in the water and a doctor has confirmed that his stomach is settling.

'He is having to stop regularly to take re-hydration salts because he just can't keep anything down and he needs the fuel.'

He is swimming for up to eight hours a day in order to complete the challenge in just eight days.
In other pictures of Walliams' Sport Relief challenge, he is seen receiving treatment from a physiotherapist.
Still clad in his wetsuit, Walliams grimaces as the physiotherapist gently helps him stretch out his sore legs.

You can do it! But Walliams got a lot of support along the way, with school children cheering as he swam past them in Wittenham, Oxfordshire

The comedian is attempting to swim from Gloucestershire to London over eight days.

The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames is being filmed for a documentary to be broadcast in the build-up to the Sport Relief weekend in March next year.

Walliams is no stranger to getting wet for a good cause - 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, also for Sport Relief.

Walliams was supported by his wife and mother Kathleen as he set off.

To sponsor him go to www.sportrelief.com/walliams.