David Walliams has realised he needs to "move on" from Lara Stone

The 43-year-old TV star was seen without his wedding ring for the first time since he and the Dutch model embarked on a trial separation in February at the Communications Business Awards in London on Thursday (18.06.15) and insiders say he has accepted his marriage is over.

A source said: "David was holding out hope that he and Lara would stay together. But after going to America this month he realised he needs to try and move on. This is the first step in that direction."

David - who has two-year-old son Alfred with 31-year-old Lara - credits his friends for helping him cope with the split and is now throwing himself into work, with US movie bosses keen to turn one of his children's books into a film.

The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "He met up with James Corden while he was in Los Angeles, it helped to clear his head and his friends have rallied round, helping him to move on with the split.

"There is a lot of interest in David in America. His children's books 'Mr. Stink' and 'Billionaire Boy' are the most likely candidates.

"But it all depends on how much time he has and whether he can commit to such a big project.

"There is also the possibility of him being a judge on one of Simon Cowell's shows in the US. It has been a welcome distraction from his marriage problems."