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David Van Day
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David Van Day (born David Paul Day, 28 November 1956) is an English singer, songwriter and politician who was formerly a member of the pop vocal duo Dollar. He was also in the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls (with his Dollar partner Thereza Bazar), and two latter-day line-ups of Bucks Fizz in the 1990s and 2000s.
Early life
[edit]Van Day was born David Paul Day on 28 November 1956 in Brighton, Sussex, England. He trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.[1]
Career
[edit]His career started as a member of song-and-dance troupe The Young Generation,[2] in 1974 he successfully auditioned for the then-new vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls. The group had a few hits, and Van Day began a romantic relationship with bandmate Thereza Bazar. Keen to embark on a solo career, Van Day left the band in 1977, and on account of that Bazar was asked to leave shortly afterwards.
Van Day and Bazar then decided to perform together, and formed a new duo, Dollar. The band recorded and toured from 1978 to 1983, then again from 1986 to 1988. They had several top-ten hits in the UK, including "Love's Gotta Hold on Me" and "Give Me Back My Heart". He also had a brief solo career as a movie actor, appearing as a devious handyman in Michael Armstrong's 1983 horror anthology film Screamtime, opposite Dora Bryan and Jean Anderson. After a final top-ten hit, "O L'amour", in 1988, Dollar broke up for a second time. Bazar left the music industry and moved to Australia.
In the early to mid- 1990s, Van Day toured as Dollar with a succession of female singers. In 1996, he joined the pop group Bucks Fizz, who by then included only one remaining original member, Bobby G. Van Day left after a year, and then formed his own Bucks Fizz with another original member, Mike Nolan. After Nolan left in 2001, Van Day continued touring for the next two years as "David Van Day's Bucks Fizz". With both his own versions of Dollar and Bucks Fizz, he recorded and released budget-priced CDs of re-recorded hits. Neither sold well and the Bucks Fizz tracks in particular received widespread criticism from fans.[3]
In 2003 Van Day (with Bazar) competed in the ITV1 reality show Reborn in the USA. He was the first act voted off. He caused controversy during the show, accusing producers of biased editing,[4] and arguing with singer and fellow contestant Sonia,[5] accusing her of "being crafty and cunning to try to save her own skin".[6]
In 2008, Van Day was a semi-finalist on the eighth series of British reality television show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,[7] finishing in fourth place.
Van Day hosted the eleven-part reality series Brides on a Bus on Wedding TV.[8] He also briefly appeared in the series Celebrity Coach Trip on Channel 4, and was interviewed with wife Sue Moxley on The Jeremy Kyle Show.
Politics
[edit]In 2007, Van Day stood as a Conservative Party candidate for Brighton and Hove City Council in the East Brighton ward, but neither he nor the other two Conservative candidates was successful in gaining a seat.[9]
In 2018, Van Day stood for a seat on Thurrock council in Aveley and Uplands ward as a Conservative.[10] The election was won by MEP Tim Aker.[11] In 2019, Aker resigned and Van Day won the subsequent by-election.[12] He lost the seat to Labour by 20 votes in May 2022.[13]
Personal life
[edit].jpg)
In the 1990s Van Day married a model called Maria. They have two children together, Amber Van Day and Olivia Van Day. He started a relationship with the beauty editor of The Sun newspaper, Sue Moxley, but initially ended it on the Channel 5 TV show The Wright Stuff.[14] They reunited soon after and married in Orsett, Essex, on 21 February 2010.[15][16] They are currently living together in South Ockendon, Essex.
During the early 2000s Van Day operated a burger van with his best friend Les Cole in Brighton, earning him the nickname "Burger Van Day"[17]
In late October 2016, Van Day suffered a heart attack. He was taken to a hospital in Essex, England, where a stent was fitted.[18]
Solo discography
[edit]- 1983 – "Young Americans Talking" (UK No. 43)
- 1985 – "Ringing the Bell"
- 1989 – "She Said, She Said"
- 2000 – "A Fistful of Dollar"
- 2008 – "Biff Baff Boff" (with Timmy Mallett as "Croc Idol")
- 2009 – "A Big Ship on the Mersey"
References
[edit]- ^ "Italia Conti Alumni". italiacontiagency.com. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ The Young Generation (Musical Dance Troupe)
- ^ "Bucks Fizz Early Years". Bucksfizztheearlyyears.yuku.com. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ Dave Van G'Day For Oz Daily Star
- ^ Sonia is reborn in Butlins Sunday Mirror, 6 April 2003, Ben Dowell
- ^ Pack your bags, cowboy Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine LowCulture.co.uk
- ^ I'm A Celebrity Latest News Archived 19 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine Celebrity.ITV.com
- ^ Brides on a Bus Archived 25 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine WeddingTV.com
- ^ "Election results for East Brighton, 3 May 2007". Present.brighton-hove.gov.uk. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "David Van Day to stand in Thurrock Council election". BBC News. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Declaration of Poll Result" (PDF). Thurrock Council. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "Declaration of Poll Result" (PDF). Thurrock Council. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ Lee, Joseph (6 May 2022). "Elections 2022: Magic pixies and an '80s pop star – five under-the-radar moments". BBC News.
- ^ "Watch David Van Day dump his girlfriend on live TV". The Guardian. London. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "David Van Day Online". Davidvanday.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Home". Suemoxleybeauty.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ Smith, Julia Llewellyn. "Dollar's David Van Day is a Tory pop idol now". The Times. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ "Dollar singer David Van Day 'doing fine' after heart attack". BBC News. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
External links
[edit]- Dollar – Shooting Stars Website
- David Van Day at AllMusic
- David Van Day discography at Discogs
- David Van Day at IMDb
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David Van Day
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
David Van Day (born David Paul Day; 28 November 1956) is an English singer and songwriter best known as one half of the pop duo Dollar, which achieved commercial success in the late 1970s and early 1980s with multiple UK chart hits.[1][2]
Van Day began his entertainment career as a child actor, appearing in stage productions such as Oliver!, before joining the vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls in the mid-1970s, where he met Thereza Bazar.[3][1]
The pair departed to form Dollar in 1978, releasing albums and singles that yielded 11 UK chart entries between 1978 and 1982, including top 10 successes like "Shooting Stars" and "Mirror Mirror".[4][5]
Following Dollar's initial split, Van Day pursued solo endeavors and later reunited briefly with Bazar, while also participating in reality television programs such as Reborn in the USA (2003), I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2008), and Celebrity Big Brother (2009), often drawing attention for confrontational behavior.[6][7]
In these appearances, he faced allegations of inappropriate conduct, including claims by fellow contestant Nicola McLean of unwanted advances during the 2008 I'm a Celebrity series.[8][9]
Van Day has also engaged in local politics as a Conservative Party candidate, contesting council seats in England, though unsuccessfully in recent elections such as the 2022 local polls.[10][11]
Early life
Birth and family background
David Van Day was born David Paul Day on 28 November 1956 in Brighton, Sussex, England.[12][13][14] Details regarding his immediate family background remain sparse in public records. His mother, Penny Day, died on Mother's Day 2016 at age 84 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[15] No verified information exists on his father or siblings. Van Day has two daughters, Olivia and Amber, from prior relationships.[16][17]Education and early influences
David Van Day, born David Paul Day, began his performing career in childhood, securing roles at age ten in the musical Oliver!, various television commercials, and the film Do You Believe in Fairies?.[3] These early stage and screen appearances introduced him to the entertainment industry and shaped his initial aspirations toward acting.[3] In his teens, Van Day won a scholarship to the Italia Conti Stage School in London, a renowned institution for training in theatre arts.[18] There, he focused primarily on acting but also received instruction in singing and dancing, which broadened his performance skills beyond dramatic roles.[19] His dance teacher at Italia Conti was the choreographer Gene Kelly's former assistant, providing exposure to professional-level technique.[20] Upon completing his training, Van Day joined the Young Generation, a BBC-affiliated song-and-dance troupe, where he performed on programs such as The Rolf Harris Show.[19] This ensemble experience honed his group performance abilities and television presence, influencing his transition to pop vocal groups like Guys 'n' Dolls in 1975.[19] The combination of formal stage school discipline and practical troupe work established the foundational influences that propelled his career in 1970s British pop music.[21]Musical career
Formation and success with Dollar
David Van Day and Thereza Bazar, both former members of the vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls, formed the pop duo Dollar in 1978.[22] The pair, signed to Carrere Records, aimed to capitalize on the burgeoning disco and pop scene with their mixed-gender vocal dynamic and upbeat tracks.[23] Dollar's debut single, "Shooting Star", written by David Courtney and produced by the duo alongside Courtney, was released in October 1978 and entered the UK Singles Chart on 11 November 1978, ultimately peaking at number 14 after 12 weeks.[24] [25] This initial hit, characterized by its catchy melody and orchestral elements, marked an instant breakthrough, establishing the duo's commercial viability.[23] Follow-up singles built on this momentum: "Who Were You With in the Moonlight?" reached number 18 in May 1979, while "Love's Gotta Hold on Me"—co-written by Van Day and Bazar—climbed to number 4 in August 1979, spending 13 weeks on the chart and becoming one of their signature early successes.[26] [27] [25] The duo's debut album, Shooting Stars, followed in 1979, compiling their early singles alongside original material largely penned by Van Day and Bazar, and reached number 36 on the UK Albums Chart.[28] Between 1978 and 1982, Dollar amassed 11 UK chart entries, including further top-20 hits like their 1980 cover of The Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (number 46, but with strong airplay).[29] Their formula of polished pop production, harmonious vocals, and romantic themes resonated with audiences, yielding ten top-40 singles overall in the UK during the late 1970s and early 1980s.[27] This period solidified Dollar's status as a reliable hitmaker, with sales contributing to over 10 million records moved across their career.[23]Post-Dollar bands and solo endeavors
After Dollar's second and final split in 1988 following the release of their single "O L'Amour", Van Day attempted a solo career, though these efforts yielded limited commercial success.[2] In the early 1990s, he released singles including "She Said, She Said" in 1989, but none achieved significant chart performance or widespread recognition.[30] During the early to mid-1990s, Van Day continued performing by touring under the Dollar name with various female vocalists replacing Thereza Bazar, maintaining the duo's repertoire for live audiences despite the absence of the original partnership.[4] In the late 1990s, Van Day joined a reformed incarnation of Bucks Fizz alongside original member Mike Nolan, contributing vocals to recordings and live performances that revived select material from the group's 1980s catalog.[4] This lineup persisted until 2001, when Nolan exited due to health issues, after which Van Day continued touring and recording under the Bucks Fizz moniker with subsequent members.[31]Later performances and financial challenges
Following the end of Dollar in 1988, Van Day briefly pursued a solo career before joining later iterations of Bucks Fizz in the 1990s and 2000s, touring with original member Mike Nolan and other singers such as Sally Jacks under disputed versions of the group name.[32][33] These line-ups faced legal conflicts over branding rights, including disputes with Bobby G.[34] In the 2010s, Van Day continued performing 1980s hits at nostalgia festivals and care homes alongside his wife, Sue Moxley, whom he married in 2010; notable appearances included nearly 30 care home gigs in one year, such as at Lucas Court Care Home in Moulton, Northamptonshire, in 2015, where he received £150 to cover expenses like equipment transport.[34][32] He defended these therapeutic performances for dementia patients, noting audiences' engagement despite medication effects.[35][36] Van Day encountered significant financial difficulties, including operating a burger van in Brighton around 2000—earning more than from some Bucks Fizz tours—and declaring bankruptcy in December 2014 at age 58, precipitated by a court case with Bobby G over group name usage.[37][34][32] Earlier excesses, such as spending £100,000 on cocaine during his peak fame, contributed to long-term instability.[32][38]Media and television appearances
Reality TV participation
David Van Day participated in the 2003 ITV reality series Reborn in the USA, in which British pop acts relocated to the United States to perform and compete for a recording contract; he was eliminated early in the competition.[39] In 2008, he competed in the eighth series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, entering the Australian jungle on November 19 as a late arrival and finishing in fourth place after 17 days, during which he engaged in bush Tucker trials and camp interactions that drew media attention for his outspoken personality.[40][34] Van Day hosted the 11-part reality series Brides on a Bus on Wedding TV, following brides-to-be on customized bus tours for wedding planning.[41] He made a brief appearance in the reality travel competition Celebrity Coach Trip, pairing with celebrities for European coach tours involving challenges and voting.[41][42] In 2011, Van Day featured in a celebrity edition of Come Dine with Me on Channel 4, hosting a dinner party at his Thurrock home on November 6, competing against contestants including Tina Malone, Imogen Thomas, and Paul Danan; the episode aired in 2012 as part of series 24.[43][44][45]Public persona and media controversies
David Van Day has cultivated a provocative public persona characterized by outspokenness and a willingness to embrace controversy for media attention. During his participation in the 2008 series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, he was portrayed as the show's primary antagonist, with contestants describing him as a manipulative egotist after two weeks of interpersonal conflicts.[46] Van Day leaned into this "bad boy" image, which he later acknowledged generated public backlash but also dividends in visibility.[47] Key incidents from the jungle stint included complaints of insects biting his genitals following a Bushtucker Trial on November 26, 2008, and tensions culminating in glamour model Nicola McLean branding him "vile" upon her eviction on December 4, 2008.[48][49] In 2017, McLean escalated accusations, alleging improper sexual behavior by Van Day toward her during the show, claiming no intervention occurred at the time.[8][50] Other media feuds include a 2001 court battle with Bucks Fizz member Bobby G, who sought to prevent Van Day from using the group's name to promote his reformed lineup after a brief stint with the band in 1997.[51] Bucks Fizz associate Mike Nolan later described disputes with Van Day as among the most severe in the group's history, surpassing typical backstage conflicts involving substance use and property damage.[52] In a separate incident on March 24, 2009, Van Day publicly ended his relationship with partner Sue Moxley live on Channel 5's The Matthew Wright Show, surprising host and audience.[53] Van Day's persona has also involved candid admissions of past excesses, such as consuming over £100,000 worth of cocaine during the height of Dollar's fame in the 1980s, which he detailed in a 2015 interview amid reflections on career decline and personal reinvention.[34] Associates have countered controversy by portraying him as kind and considerate off-camera, suggesting his on-air villainy was performative for entertainment value.[54]Political involvement
Entry into Conservative politics
David Van Day, a long-time supporter of the Conservative Party, first attempted to enter local politics as a candidate for Brighton & Hove City Council in May 2007, but withdrew following controversy over a remark interpreted as homophobic, for which he later apologized.[21][18] After over a decade away from political candidacy, Van Day re-entered the fray in Thurrock, Essex, where he was selected to stand for the Conservatives in the Aveley and Uplands ward, facilitated by his friendship with local Conservative MP Jackie Doyle-Price.[18] His motivations included a desire to move beyond the nostalgia circuit of his music career, feel more relevant, and address practical community issues such as traffic congestion, bin collections, and heavy goods vehicle traffic, emphasizing a plain-speaking approach over expert-driven politics.[21][18] He cited Conservative values of enterprise and superior economic management as aligning with his beliefs, while critiquing perceived hypocrisy among left-leaning figures in show business.[18] Van Day secured his entry as an elected official by winning a by-election for Thurrock Council on March 21, 2019, polling 773 votes (44.6% of the vote) against Labour's 394, an independent's 551, and the Liberal Democrats' 55, achieving a 222-vote majority and a 16.4% swing from the previous independent holder, with a turnout of 24.49%.[55] He described the campaign as hard-fought and focused on local concerns like Aveley traffic.[55][21]Candidacy, views, and criticisms
In 2007, Van Day stood as the Conservative candidate for the East Brighton ward in the Brighton & Hove City Council election.[21] His campaign drew controversy after he remarked at a civic event that a performing gay men's choir would "bend over backwards for anybody," prompting accusations of homophobia from gay campaigners who called for his withdrawal; Van Day apologized, denied any homophobic intent, and cited his performances at UK Gay Pride events as evidence against such claims.[56][57][21] Van Day's subsequent candidacy came in the 2018 Thurrock Borough Council election for the Aveley and Uplands ward, where he secured a by-election victory on March 21, 2019, with 682 votes against Labour's 589 and others.[58] He retained the seat in subsequent polls but lost it to Labour by 20 votes in the May 2022 local elections.[59] By 2024, Van Day had shifted to the Orsett ward, winning election there as a Conservative councillor.[60] Van Day has expressed alignment with core Conservative principles, emphasizing local issues such as community engagement, pothole repairs, and resident services in Thurrock, which he credits for his electoral success in reconnecting "lost sheep" to the party.[18] A vocal Brexit supporter, he has campaigned on themes of national sovereignty and practical governance, stating in 2019 that he joined politics to "help people" and pursue "something real" amid perceived public apathy.[61][62] He has endorsed Tory parliamentary candidates, including producing a promotional video for Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price in 2019, though it faced online mockery for its enthusiastic style.[63] Critics have questioned Van Day's political gravitas, often linking it to his reality TV background rather than policy depth, with some media portraying his entry into politics as a novelty act.[21] The 2007 homophobia allegation, reported prominently by LGBTQ-focused outlets like PinkNews, highlighted sensitivities around casual language in diverse areas like Brighton, though Van Day maintained it was misinterpreted humor without malice.[64] No formal party sanctions followed, and he continued Conservative involvement. His 2019 by-election win was described as "hard-fought" against a strong UKIP-linked independent, underscoring competitive local dynamics but no major policy-based rebukes.[65][62]Personal life
Relationships and family
Van Day had a romantic relationship with his Dollar bandmate Thereza Bazar, lasting from 1977 to 1983.[66] In the 1990s, he married a model named Maria, and the couple had two daughters, Olivia and Amber.[17] [6] The marriage ended in divorce.[6] Van Day later entered a relationship with Sue Moxley, whom he publicly ended on the Matthew Wright Show before reconciling.[34] The pair became engaged by 2009 and subsequently married, with Moxley serving as his second wife.[67] [34] No children from this marriage are documented. By 2019, Van Day had become a grandfather.[68]Health and later years
In late October 2016, Van Day experienced severe chest pains for three days before being hospitalized in Essex, England, where he was diagnosed with a blocked artery causing cardiac arrest.[69][70] Emergency surgery successfully fitted a stent to address the blockage.[71] Following the procedure, Van Day reported being in high spirits and on the mend, expressing gratitude to supporters via social media.[72] By January 2017, Van Day had recovered sufficiently to resume public appearances, presenting as healthy during outings in London.[73] In his later years, he continued performing alongside his wife, Sue Moxley, at smaller venues such as care homes, a choice partly inspired by his mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease, which had prompted similar gigs prior to his health scare.[35] These activities reflected a shift toward more intimate, community-oriented engagements amid ongoing cabaret and nostalgic pop performances.[15] As of 2025, Van Day remained active in media interviews, discussing his career without reported further major health complications.[11]Discography
Dollar releases
Dollar, the pop duo formed by David Van Day and Thereza Bazar, issued three studio albums between 1979 and 1982, alongside a series of singles that yielded five UK Top 10 hits. Their releases were primarily handled by Carrere Records initially, transitioning to WEA and later labels, reflecting shifts in management and commercial fortunes. The duo's output emphasized upbeat pop with disco and synth elements, though chart success varied, with early singles driving their breakthrough before a mid-1980s resurgence.[74] The debut album Shooting Stars, released in August 1979 on Carrere, compiled early singles and peaked at number 36 on the UK Albums Chart after eight weeks.[74][26] It featured tracks like "Shooting Star" and "Who Were You with in the Moonlight," both of which reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up, The Paris Collection, appeared in November 1980 on WEA but failed to enter the UK Top 100 Albums Chart, incorporating non-album singles such as "Takin' a Chance on You."[74] The third and final studio album, The Dollar Album, released in October 1982 on WEA, marked a creative peak with production by Trevor Horn and peaked at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart after 11 weeks, including hits like "Mirror Mirror (Mon Amour)" and "Give Me Back My Heart."[74][26] Dollar's singles discography spans 1978 to 1988, with 14 charting in the UK Top 40. Key releases are summarized below, ordered chronologically by UK release date, including peak positions on the UK Singles Chart:| Single Title | Release Month/Year | UK Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shooting Star | November 1978 | 14 | 12 |
| Who Were You with in the Moonlight | May 1979 | 14 | 12 |
| Love's Gotta Hold On Me | July 1979 | 4 | 13 |
| I Wanna Hold Your Hand | November 1979 | 9 | 14 |
| Takin' a Chance on You | October 1980 | 62 | 3 |
| Hand Held in Black and White | August 1981 | 19 | 12 |
| Mirror Mirror (Mon Amour) | November 1981 | 4 | 17 |
| Give Me Back My Heart | March 1982 | 4 | 9 |
| Videotheque | June 1982 | 17 | 10 |
| Give Me Some Kinda Magic | September 1982 | 34 | 6 |
| O L'Amour | November 1987 | 7 | 11 |
| It's Nature's Way | July 1988 | 58 | 3 |