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A TV extra who has appeared in over 200 projects has the best of both worlds, as people often recognize him – but never well enough to harass him in public.
David Price, 61, has been spotted on the set of some of the UK’s most beloved TV shows – and yet if you blink you’ll miss him.
The ex-marketing expert turned actor has a brilliant resume to rival the most accomplished actors, with roles in everything from Peaky Blinders to the Crown, and Top Gear to Coronation Street.
David, from Sutton Coldfield, had no desire to become an actor growing up, but has been spotted alongside Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders as a fellow Labor MP in the House of Commons, murdered by a Dalek in Dr Who, reincarnated as Henry VIII in Shakespeare and Hathaway, and has even played the fishing expert Captain Birdseye in Top Gear.
David Price as Captain Birdseye in an episode of Top Gear. The ex-PR and marketing expert turned actor has starred in over 200 projects on some of the UK’s best-loved TV shows
David dressed in his outfit for Netflix’s The Irregulars. David turned to acting after 25 years in PR when doctors told him to de-stress
Dave as Santa for the Innocent smoothie ad. David reveals his wife Judith hates his white bushy beard but refuses to shave it off because of the jobs it gives him
It wasn’t until doctors warned David to de-stress because of a heart condition that he stopped running a successful PR and marketing agency.
David explained: “I worked in a marketing and PR firm for 25 years and I had a moment where my heart actually gave out and after the surgeons fixed me they basically told me to get rid of the stress so that I did, I sold the company.’
On a loose end, he agreed to accompany a friend to an audition when he was too scared to go alone, and little did he know that he would eventually become addicted to acting and become one of the UK’s most in-demand actors. would become.
David’s first acting experience was helping his friend’s daughter make a film for her college project, which he said he “really enjoyed.”
Dave dressed up as Henry VIII in the BBC’s Shakespeare and Hathaway, one of the many hit TV series he appeared in during his career
Dave plays the Duke of Suffolk in Anne Boleyn. His first acting role was helping his friend’s daughter for a college project
David, pictured in the blue coat, on the set of Doctor Who playing a Dalek victim
Since then he has starred in household classics such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors and Casualty, and appeared in British TV series including Peaky Blinders, Shakespeare & Hathaway and The Cobra.
“It’s basically eight hours of eating cookies and tea and 25 minutes of work, but the days are so interesting that I travel all over the UK and meet people I’ve become very close to,” says David.
David is now under contract with Alan Sharman Casting and has been involved in over 200 projects.
Dave explained: “Friends always see me on TV and let me know that a lot of shows have been ruined for me because I spend all my time trying to spot my friends in the supporting actor world. I end up missing important storylines! ‘
He can name a whole host of big names and remembers one time Emma Thompson appeared on the set of the TV series Years and Years with a huge pile of pizza for everyone.
David Price quit PR & Marketing after doctors told him to de-stress. The 61-year-old worked for 25 years before his heart gave out and he went into acting
David pictured left of center in his Shakespearean costume on the set of Shakespeare and Hathaway
Dave Price on the set of the BBC’s My Name Is Leon, which tells the story of a mixed-race boy and Jake, his white brother, who are separated after their mother has a breakdown
Left: David on the set of a BBC Christmas campaign. Right: David as Finance Minister in COBRA
David dressed up as Captain Birdseye for an episode of Top Gear. But Matt LeBlanc had no idea who to be
David played the Secretary of the Treasury in the TV series COBRA. The series is set in the halls of Westminster and follows Prime Minister Robert Sutherland
He added: “I had to dress up as Captain Birdseye for an episode of Top Gear. Unfortunately, poor Matt LeBlanc had absolutely no idea who I was supposed to be and had to try and explain the country’s love for a man who sells fish fingers to one of America’s biggest stars.”
Unfortunately, his wife, Judith, 59, who works in education, is less enthusiastic about Captain Birdseye’s remarkable bushy beard he has, but David refuses to shave it off because of all the jobs his unusual appearance scores him.
“Unfortunately, my wife hates my long hair, beard and mustache, but it’s the look that gets me my most interesting roles.”
Judith said, “If the casting directors don’t seem to like that look, I’d let him shave everything because I think it’ll make him age a lot.
“But the money he brings in especially at Christmas makes it bearable… just!”