Danny Wallace to discuss his books and career ahead of Graduation

Published On Fri 13 Jun 2014 by Grant Hill

Award-winning filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, and broadcaster Danny Wallace will next week discuss his career and latest novel Who is Tom Ditto? at the University of Dundee.

The Dundee-born best-selling author will be in conversation with Mike Stirling, Editor-in-Chief of the Beano, at the Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Wednesday, 18th June. He will receive an honorary degree from the University at its Graduation ceremony the following day.

Anna Day, Director of event organisers Literary Dundee, said, “We are delighted to be welcoming Danny Wallace home to Dundee. He is a phenomenally gifted person and has achieved a great deal in a wide variety of roles during his relatively short career.

“His latest book is absolutely fantastic and I’m sure the audience will love hearing him read from it as well as talking about his inspiration for the novel and his career in general. He will then receive his richly deserved Honorary Degree the following day in recognition of his talents and achievements.”

The University’s graduation ceremonies take place this year from Wednesday, June 18th to Friday, June 20th in the Caird Hall in Dundee. Danny Wallace will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree at the afternoon ceremony on Thursday, June 19th.

Danny’ father was a Professor at the University of Dundee when he was born and he attended Park Place Primary School before his family moved to England. His career started writing video games reviews at the age of 13 for school work experience. He has since gone on to international acclaim for his books while his television credits ranges from comedy work on The IT Crowd to presenting the BBC’s flagship science programme Horizon.

His first book, Join Me, was described as a “word-of-mouth phenomenon” by The Bookseller and his second, Yes Man – in which he decided to say ‘Yes’ to everything – became a hugely successful film with Jim Carrey in the lead role. Danny’s column in ShortList magazine reaches more than 1.3 million readers weekly and saw him named PPA Columnist of the Year 2011. He also received the Arqiva Radio Presenter of the Year 2012 for his work as the host of the triple Sony Award-winning Xfm Breakfast Show.

GQ magazine has called him “one of Britain's great writing talents”, while William Boyd described Who is Tom Ditto? as “a wonderfully well-observed and beguiling novel - shrewd, funny and stealthily profound".

‘Danny Wallace in Conversation with Mike Stirling’ takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, at 6pm on Wednesday, 18th June. Free tickets can be booked at www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets.

A drinks reception and book signing follows the event.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277