Who is Dave Spikey and when did the comedian present Bullseye?
AFTER shooting to fame on Phoenix Nights, David Spikey then landed his own gameshow.
The comedian bagged the job of host on the 2006 reboot of Bullseye. Here we take a look at his story so far.
Born David Gordon Bramwell in Manchester on October 6, 2024, Dave Spikey is a comedian, actor, writer and film producer.
Before becoming famous, he worked as a biomedical scientist in the haematology laboratory at Bolton General Hospital in the 1980s.
It was during this time that he starred in a number of amateur pantos with a group of colleagues who called themselves the Bolton Health Performers.
After performing in a talent show, Dave was encouraged by the late comic Larry Grayson to peruse a career in stand-up.
He then went onto tour the comedy circuit before he got his big TV break.
Phoenix Nights fame
In the early noughties, Dave found national fame when he appeared alongside Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness on the critically-acclaimed Phoenix Nights.
The show was a huge hit and was set in a working men’s club in the north of England.
On the comedy he played Jerry St. Clair, who ran the entertainment side of things at the club.
However, after the show came to an abrupt end Dave revealed revealed he struggled to get back on TV.
Replying to a fan who asked if he’s planning a TV return, Dave wrote on Twitter/X: “No mate. Not for want of trying! Keep writing – keep getting rejections.
“Don’t know what they’re looking for.
“It can be frustrating and demoralising at times but, hey, get your head down and crack on.”
It came after he claimed Peter and Paddy abandoned Phoenix Nights after just two series – despite it becoming an instant hit.
The comic said the C4 sitcom, which aired in 2001 and 2002, launched the talented pair’s careers – but left him out in the cold.
Peter and Paddy went on to make Max And Paddy’s Road To Nowhere together, which was based on their doormen characters in Phoenix Nights.
But Dave wasn’t offered a role in their new series, claiming the pair’s decision to go their separate ways was “thrown upon” him.
Becoming a Bullseye star
In 2006, Dave became the host of a revived version of the darts-based quiz show Bullseye.
The show ran for two series on Challenge.
Bullseye was originally hosted in the 80s and 90s by the late Jim Bowen, who passed away in 2018.
The Sun exclusively revealed that ITV was bringing back the hugely popular programme for a Christmas special.
It has been confirmed that Bullseye will air on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 6pm on ITV and will be hosted by Freddie Flintoff.