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The Boy Who Got Accidentally Famous
From million-copy bestselling author David Baddiel comes a laugh-out-loud story for readers of 8 and up that takes you on a roller-coaster ride of fame and friendship…Nothing extraordinary has ever happened to Billy Smith. In fact, every single thing about him is ordinary, including his name. But when a documentary crew turns up at Billy’s school to film the new TV series School Daze, everything changes.Billy shouldn’t stand all the other kids are much more interesting than him. But when remixes of his boring class presentation go viral, Billy finds himself accidentally an overnight star. With his friends Bo and Rinor by his side, his life turns into a whirlwind of red carpets, TV shows, albums and even the possibility of meeting Sunshine De Marto – the coolest girl on the planet. But as everyone knows, fame comes with a price…The Boy Who Got Accidentally Famous is an epically entertaining tale, brought to life with illustrations by the brilliant Steven Lenton, which asks the question – what if everyone suddenly knew your name…?
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2022
44 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
David Baddiel
85 books440 followersDavid Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter. Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. He grew up in grew up in Dollis Hill, Willesden, North London.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 25, 2024
Voor een kinderboek is dit een hele leuke, omdat iedereen er toch wel eens van droomt hoe het zou zijn als je beroemd was, ondanks dat je een zeer doorsnee persoon bent. Ik vond het absoluut niet het beste of grappigste kinderboek dat ik ooit gelezen heb, maar dit is wel een fijne om te kennen als je boekverkoper bent, omdat het een makkelijke commerciele titel is.
January 4, 2022
These books r great quick reads. Highly enjoyable and funny. This book features Billy who becomes famous for just being normal Would recommend this book and any of David’s others
November 29, 2021
READ FOR SUITABILITY FOR A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
The boy who got accidentally famous is a witty take on fame, friendship and the importance of staying true to yourself.
The book itself is fast-paced and engaging with emotive illustrations that really add the to story. The plot itself is even and there are no lulls in the story nor does it feel rushed at any point.
The narrative is easy to read and has humourous elements to keep the reader engaged and you really do fly through the story.
It is relatable in the best way and is a great take on sticking to your own morals and putting friendships first. I think there is a lot to gain from this book whilst still being fun.
I will definitely be keeping my eye out for other books this author has published.
The boy who got accidentally famous is a witty take on fame, friendship and the importance of staying true to yourself.
The book itself is fast-paced and engaging with emotive illustrations that really add the to story. The plot itself is even and there are no lulls in the story nor does it feel rushed at any point.
The narrative is easy to read and has humourous elements to keep the reader engaged and you really do fly through the story.
It is relatable in the best way and is a great take on sticking to your own morals and putting friendships first. I think there is a lot to gain from this book whilst still being fun.
I will definitely be keeping my eye out for other books this author has published.
October 5, 2022
This was oodles of fun about a boy who suddenly got famous... for being ordinary! But what happens when fame goes up to his head? I really enjoyed reading this one and I loved reading about the other kids from David Baddiel's series as well (who are btw all at this school). Billy was a fun kid but I am happy that he found out that fame may not be all that. I loved the other characters as well. Bo, Billy's mom and dad, Sunshine was a nice surprise. I flew through this book, I just had to keep on reading! So much fun!
And of course the illustrations were terrific again!
I did think it was funny that he needed the help of Sunshine to get on the stool in the end... when he, according to the illustrations, was just a bit bigger than her. XD
And of course the illustrations were terrific again!
I did think it was funny that he needed the help of Sunshine to get on the stool in the end... when he, according to the illustrations, was just a bit bigger than her. XD
January 24, 2022
I buddy read this with my 9 year old and we both really enjoyed it! A great reminder/lesson on being true to yourself and don’t try to be something/someone that you are not!
October 29, 2021
I got this as a signed edition from Waterstone and I don't regret it. It gives out a good cliché message like how being famous may ruin your life and friends. The idea has become popular but the way David Baddiel wrote it was good - except when I cringed at some pages like 204.
July 19, 2022
In a world where even the likes of the vacuous Sunshine de Marto are superstars, famous for, well, just being famous, even the likes of humdrum, mundane Billy can aspire to meet her, spend time with her, and perhaps be famous like her, even if they have none of the ways and means to get to that situation. But lo and behold, Billy's school has been chosen as the subject of 'School Daze', a new fly-on-the-wall TV show. When his English class are tasked with reporting an extraordinary true story about their life, all the rest play to the camera, and fantasise about no end of nonsense. But Billy? His writing scrabbles together a few vignettes that go nowhere, partly about going nowhere, together with what he thinks are wisecracks like the in-kids might deliver. Little does he realise how so many people are famous when they're just like us (allegedly, at least) - and little does he realise that just being the relatable, Joe Average kind of Billy will get him taken to the hearts of the nation. True fame – still for being un-extraordinary – awaits...
Now, forget my lax lateness in turning to this author's books (I have met him, fer cryin' out loud, just not turned a page to see what the effect was), and ignore the way this seems to have been set in the same school as several of his previous books. I think the biggest things I took from the opening third here were that it seemed to have jokes in there for the adults – and lines for any age that failed to really land – and how it could have been written any time in the last twenty years. I mean it's fresh and up-to-date, with the "like a clock" app and a "#cancel" from the nay-sayers, but we've been suffering nonentities gaining celebrity for as long as I can remember. But from Ms Hilton to tomorrow's influencer-turned-boxer-turned-nun, none have got where they are while maintaining their mundanity.
Partly based on what I saw as lines for the older reader, or Baddiel himself, I did think – if not actually hope – this would be a book calling us all to celebrate the normal, in an aspirational manner. If everyone does have to have a Warholian fifteen minutes, make them as bland as poss. I wanted the whole school, TV audience, world, to be generic. But no, rest assured – our author is definitely writing for his target audience, and inasmuch as he's presenting the standard pratfalls-of-fame story, he is doing it in a very readable, entertaining fashion. There certainly are enough successful laughs, it's a quick page-turner, and it does have the benefit of showing the truth behind the glamour in relatable, up-to-date ways.
But excuse me, I'm away to write that Normality-Goes-Viral novel – well, anything to make a name for myself.
Now, forget my lax lateness in turning to this author's books (I have met him, fer cryin' out loud, just not turned a page to see what the effect was), and ignore the way this seems to have been set in the same school as several of his previous books. I think the biggest things I took from the opening third here were that it seemed to have jokes in there for the adults – and lines for any age that failed to really land – and how it could have been written any time in the last twenty years. I mean it's fresh and up-to-date, with the "like a clock" app and a "#cancel" from the nay-sayers, but we've been suffering nonentities gaining celebrity for as long as I can remember. But from Ms Hilton to tomorrow's influencer-turned-boxer-turned-nun, none have got where they are while maintaining their mundanity.
Partly based on what I saw as lines for the older reader, or Baddiel himself, I did think – if not actually hope – this would be a book calling us all to celebrate the normal, in an aspirational manner. If everyone does have to have a Warholian fifteen minutes, make them as bland as poss. I wanted the whole school, TV audience, world, to be generic. But no, rest assured – our author is definitely writing for his target audience, and inasmuch as he's presenting the standard pratfalls-of-fame story, he is doing it in a very readable, entertaining fashion. There certainly are enough successful laughs, it's a quick page-turner, and it does have the benefit of showing the truth behind the glamour in relatable, up-to-date ways.
But excuse me, I'm away to write that Normality-Goes-Viral novel – well, anything to make a name for myself.
February 5, 2022
Billy Smith is ordinary. Run-of-the-mill, nothing special, everyday ordinary, along with his parents called John Smith and Jane Smith. He didn't stand out at school for sports or academic achievements. He didn't have tons of friends that were admired by others, or any quirky habits that people laughed with him about. He was just... ordinary.
At least until a TV show began to film at his school. Lots of other kids played up for the cameras during the day, but Billy shrugged it all off. Sure he'd like to be famous, but reading about his favourite star Sunshine De Marto in his mum's glossy magazines was as close as he was ever going to get to his dream of meeting her.
And then his true ordinary shone through all of the other students. At first the opening TV episode of School Daze, was full of everybody else with no sight of Billy - much to his parent's dismay. Then there he was, being his normal ordinary self in front of the classroom. When the episode finished, he knew he'd never be famous.
But fame is a strange beast, and suddenly his ordinaryness had become famousness! Social Media went crazy with his own trending hashtags and tv clips turned into rap songs. The film company, TOTALTV TV is over the moon and in a blink Billy is a celebrity wherever he goes.
The more popular he gets however, the more he feels like someone else. His best friend Bo is at his side, and on his side whenever she feels something isn't right for Billy, but soon that's impossible. Billy's dream of meeting Sunshine De Marto is so close, but he has to make some choices for it to finally happen.
Caught up in his own fame he makes some terrible decisions, that only true friendship can save him from. This friendship helps Billy achieve his dreams after all.
A fun story on how fame can come and go in a heartbeat and how fickle it can be. Most of it isn't real, even a type of mania sometimes. The most popular famous stars are usually the most down to earth ordinary people which Billy begins and ends with in this eye-opening tale.
David Walliams fans will enjoy this funny story and cast of quirky characters. They might also recognise themselves in Billy, his family and his dinner of fish fingers, chips and peas.
Author - David Baddiel
Illustrator - Steven Lenton
Age - 9+
At least until a TV show began to film at his school. Lots of other kids played up for the cameras during the day, but Billy shrugged it all off. Sure he'd like to be famous, but reading about his favourite star Sunshine De Marto in his mum's glossy magazines was as close as he was ever going to get to his dream of meeting her.
And then his true ordinary shone through all of the other students. At first the opening TV episode of School Daze, was full of everybody else with no sight of Billy - much to his parent's dismay. Then there he was, being his normal ordinary self in front of the classroom. When the episode finished, he knew he'd never be famous.
But fame is a strange beast, and suddenly his ordinaryness had become famousness! Social Media went crazy with his own trending hashtags and tv clips turned into rap songs. The film company, TOTALTV TV is over the moon and in a blink Billy is a celebrity wherever he goes.
The more popular he gets however, the more he feels like someone else. His best friend Bo is at his side, and on his side whenever she feels something isn't right for Billy, but soon that's impossible. Billy's dream of meeting Sunshine De Marto is so close, but he has to make some choices for it to finally happen.
Caught up in his own fame he makes some terrible decisions, that only true friendship can save him from. This friendship helps Billy achieve his dreams after all.
A fun story on how fame can come and go in a heartbeat and how fickle it can be. Most of it isn't real, even a type of mania sometimes. The most popular famous stars are usually the most down to earth ordinary people which Billy begins and ends with in this eye-opening tale.
David Walliams fans will enjoy this funny story and cast of quirky characters. They might also recognise themselves in Billy, his family and his dinner of fish fingers, chips and peas.
Author - David Baddiel
Illustrator - Steven Lenton
Age - 9+
Read
May 21, 2025This is a book writen by David Daddiel, an aurthor whose books I have always enjoyed reading. I like the style he writes very much and he has also writen multiple books so there are a lot of choices to choose from.
In this book there is a boy whose name is Billy and he is a very ordinary boy and has a very ordinary family. In his school everybody has had a very interesting thing happen in their life. However he had never experienced a single interesting thing in his life. Suddenly one day there is a documentary in their school. In the documentary they are recording the school and different classes. When they record Billys class their class has writen a essay about something interesting that had happend in their life. However he had nothing very interesting that he could write about so he just wrote about some pretty normal experiences. While they were reading everyone
At the morning his friend calls him telling him that he is all over the internet and that he is an overnight star. He had became famous because he had read the only essay that was ordinary. However everybody else had a non realistic story even though they were true. when he goes to school that day everybody Is very eager to meet him. Even the schools most popular girl invites him to her birthday.
However the girl had been mean to him so Billy thought of not coming because he was famous
After he got famous all kinds of companys, Movie theaters and theathers invited him to different kinds of special events. After some time he had just wanted to spend more time with normal kids and not famous people so he went to the popular girls party even though he was planning not to.
Near the end of the book he went to meet the worlds most famous girl in a small preformance on stage. While preparing he was dressing up into a very non-ordinary costume. One of his friends started to tell him to be normal and that he was not acting like himself. Due to this Billy got very angry at his friend so he told him to leave the building. before his friend left he tricked Billy to leave the building. His friend had trapped him outside. He had been very angry at his friend because almost the entire audience had left. However when they got back inside Billy realised the ones who truly wanted to see him were his family and friends.
In this book there is a boy whose name is Billy and he is a very ordinary boy and has a very ordinary family. In his school everybody has had a very interesting thing happen in their life. However he had never experienced a single interesting thing in his life. Suddenly one day there is a documentary in their school. In the documentary they are recording the school and different classes. When they record Billys class their class has writen a essay about something interesting that had happend in their life. However he had nothing very interesting that he could write about so he just wrote about some pretty normal experiences. While they were reading everyone
At the morning his friend calls him telling him that he is all over the internet and that he is an overnight star. He had became famous because he had read the only essay that was ordinary. However everybody else had a non realistic story even though they were true. when he goes to school that day everybody Is very eager to meet him. Even the schools most popular girl invites him to her birthday.
However the girl had been mean to him so Billy thought of not coming because he was famous
After he got famous all kinds of companys, Movie theaters and theathers invited him to different kinds of special events. After some time he had just wanted to spend more time with normal kids and not famous people so he went to the popular girls party even though he was planning not to.
Near the end of the book he went to meet the worlds most famous girl in a small preformance on stage. While preparing he was dressing up into a very non-ordinary costume. One of his friends started to tell him to be normal and that he was not acting like himself. Due to this Billy got very angry at his friend so he told him to leave the building. before his friend left he tricked Billy to leave the building. His friend had trapped him outside. He had been very angry at his friend because almost the entire audience had left. However when they got back inside Billy realised the ones who truly wanted to see him were his family and friends.
January 20, 2022
Simple but effective, Baddiel always appeals to his target audience.
Billy is totally ordinary, like, TOTALLY average. No special skills, no interesting hobbies, dull family, just - normal.
A lot of kids in his school have had amazing experiences (see Baddiel's past efforts), so when a TV crew arrives at Billy's school to capture regular school students for a documentary, he actually stands out by being incredibly, utterly boringly ordinary.
Which somehow takes off and Billy becomes.... viral?!
From this point, I found the story incredibly predictable - will Billy stay true to who he is? Will fame go to Billy's head? Will he forget his 'true' friends? Will his head be turned by the pop star he's smitten with?
Quite brief really and straightforward, it's still amusing, with great points to make about celebrity and social media, it's not as original as a lot of Baddiel's other children's titles, but still very likeable.
Parents and teachers reading this will enjoy some digs at celebrity culture, names and stereotypes. David Baddiel reads this with energy, as ever, and it makes a very enjoyable listen.
For ages 7-13. With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Billy is totally ordinary, like, TOTALLY average. No special skills, no interesting hobbies, dull family, just - normal.
A lot of kids in his school have had amazing experiences (see Baddiel's past efforts), so when a TV crew arrives at Billy's school to capture regular school students for a documentary, he actually stands out by being incredibly, utterly boringly ordinary.
Which somehow takes off and Billy becomes.... viral?!
From this point, I found the story incredibly predictable - will Billy stay true to who he is? Will fame go to Billy's head? Will he forget his 'true' friends? Will his head be turned by the pop star he's smitten with?
Quite brief really and straightforward, it's still amusing, with great points to make about celebrity and social media, it's not as original as a lot of Baddiel's other children's titles, but still very likeable.
Parents and teachers reading this will enjoy some digs at celebrity culture, names and stereotypes. David Baddiel reads this with energy, as ever, and it makes a very enjoyable listen.
For ages 7-13. With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
June 13, 2024
This was a good, funny book for pre-teens and teens and I enjoyed listening to it! The book is centered around eleven-year-old Billy Smith, an ordinary boy, who desires to be seen like those celebrities he reads about in magazines. By chance, when a TV producer chooses to shoot a programme at his school, Billy is catapulted to fame because of his normality. But, things that quickly go up, quickly come down as well.
This short book delved into the deeper topics about fame, identity, and trying to stay true to who you are. It presents some moral messages on public perception and famous people’s lives. According to me, the storyline was muddled towards the end, however the humour element of the book was done really well. The dialogues and references were funny.
Overall, this was a nice book to read for a younger audience: an important story with lots of comedy.
This short book delved into the deeper topics about fame, identity, and trying to stay true to who you are. It presents some moral messages on public perception and famous people’s lives. According to me, the storyline was muddled towards the end, however the humour element of the book was done really well. The dialogues and references were funny.
Overall, this was a nice book to read for a younger audience: an important story with lots of comedy.
May 16, 2022
David Baddiel's books always leave me with a smile on my face and this book was no exception. This was a story about the consequences of giving an 11-year-old fame and the hilarious discoveries they make. This book talks about the importance of remembering one's roots and never turning your back on those who love you. And the best message which is most pertinent these days is: Always be yourself, those who care will always love you for who you are.
December 27, 2021
This was quite a short read but with hilarious writing and important messages. The characters will be appealing to middle-grade readers but the plot fell a bit short as it was cliche. Other than that this was a great read and would be great for children!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-arc!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-arc!
January 24, 2022
Billy is an ordinary student, with ordinary parents, an ordinary sister, so to sum up Billy is just an ordinary boy. Then one day after his ordinary school day is filmed and goes viral, Billy is no longer ordinary he is world wide famous.
David Baddiel has done it again with a very funny, heart warm story.
David Baddiel has done it again with a very funny, heart warm story.
February 14, 2022
I cannot express to any of you reading this how good of a book it was. Now, I’m not saying any spoilers but I do have to say this, it’s an extraordinary book with too many plot twists to count. I would recommend this to people who love funny, first-person style books. Just read it. You will be addicted to this book. I guarantee.
October 31, 2021
David's eighth book seems to be a spin-off of his show on Fame, which is excellent. This novel introduces kids to the 'mask that eats into your face', as Baddiel has said of fame (quoting Updike). A good satire, if a little short for a Baddiel book.
January 1, 2022
This is a funny and weird book about a boy who accedently got famous by being ordanary! I enjoyed it a lot but I prefer birthday boy (by the same author) a bit more as it's more interesting but it's still a enjoyable book to read. 😊
March 13, 2023
This book is quite a good book and I think it's another David Baddiel Classic. The only thing I would say about this book is than it is quite long winded and sometimes in the book I would become bored 🥱 of some parts but other than that it is a good book.
November 3, 2021
Read- November 2021 for Believeathon
- There was nothing really wrong with this book, I just think this authors work is a bit young for me.
- There was nothing really wrong with this book, I just think this authors work is a bit young for me.
January 5, 2022
much like others but still a good easy read
January 12, 2022
It was a great book, i really liked it. I rate it a 5 stars.
January 16, 2022
Good book
January 30, 2022
Very much of its type- nothing unexpected etc. boy is accidentally famous after appearing in a school reality show.
August 7, 2022
A super fun cautionary tale about the perils of fame.
January 31, 2023
In this book a boy named Billy accidently becomes a famous celebrity!
A little random , but I overall liked it .
A little random , but I overall liked it .
December 13, 2023
It's a bit unfortunate that at the end it says 'I wonder what Billy did say?'but as far as I'm aware there's no sequel which was really disappointing but everything else was amazing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2024
Really good
June 4, 2024
It is excellent. The story line is very nicely written. And the biggest lesson is that at whatever place you are you should always listen to what your well-wishers are saying.
June 4, 2024
I may be a grown woman, but I absolutely loved this book. Would be brilliant for younger readers too, but as an escape from the adult world this was outstanding.
July 20, 2024
Fun story and my son loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews