Category Archives: friends

Happy New Year!

December 30, 2021Acting, Actor, BBC, Christmas, Coronation St, Covid-19, Doctors BBC, Family, Food, friends, ITV, Radio, Sheffield2022, actor, bbc, coronation st, Covid-19, Doctors BBC, family, food, humour, new year, sheffieldDave

So, here we are, it’s almost New Year’s Eve as I write this on Thursday evening.

It’s been another odd year hasn’t it? Lockdowns, loss of people, loss of work.

New Year is always a time for reflection time for me anyway, my Dad died Dec 31, 2010, and I always feel his loss. This year it feels even more reflective.

So it’s back to New Year traditions to say farewell to the old and welcome the new. I’ve baked lots of tarts, jam and lemon curd. My Gran always cooked them for Christmas and New Year, and as a youngster I helped, cutting out the tarts, scooping the jam fillings. And making a jam turnover with the remaining pastry.

Tomorrow will be an evening at home with my Mum, a beer or two, nibbles…. some Pork Pie, Scotch Egg, Sausage Rolls, vol-au-vents… And this evening I’ve made Egg Nog for the first time, it’s now chilling ready to add to traditions tomorrow. I admit, my Brandy pouring hand may have been over zealous.

At midnight I’ll sing Auld Lang Syne, I’ll go out and come in again to First Foot, I’ll phone and message friends near and far, then to bed and 2022.

I’m hoping work continues next year as it ended in 2021. I ended up quite busy over the last couple of months. An episode of Doctors for BBC1, two episodes of an upcoming series, Compulsion, for Channel 5. And most recently I shot two episodes of Coronation St, airing mid-January on ITV.

To end the year tomorrow, you can hear me doing some radio. As I’ve mentioned before, I co-host the monthly Comedy Show on Write Radio on Sheffield Live. Tomorrow’s show is a year-end special, a murder mystery featuring all the hosts of Write Radio, put together by our amazing producer Andrew Tildesley. It’s fun, so listen in, either live, or catch up on the link later. Write Radio airs Friday afternoons, 1-3pm.

And remember, during January I will be taking part in the Run The Month Challenge for Prostate Cancer UK.

So my dears, I bid you all the very best for the coming year.
Be kind to yourself, spread the love, and stay safe and healthy during these dark days and testing times.
If you can find a test.

See you next year!
Dave X

2021 almost done…. here’s to 2022! Starting with a Challenge

December 27, 2021Cancer, Christmas, Family, friends, healthfriends, Fundraisiong, Marathon, mental health, Prostate Cancer, WalkingDave

Hello there!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Covid impacted on many of us again, restricting gatherings. Thankfully technology helps keep us in touch.

So, it’s the final week of 2021. And looking forward to the New Year, I decided to start 2022 with a challenge. Run the Month: Marathon Edition

Earlier this year, I found out one of my oldest mates has Prostate Cancer.
It was discovered late and has spread.

That inspired me to try a bit of fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.

In my mid 20’s I ran quite a lot, I did half marathons and 10k’s. I’m no longer that fit though. So – I’m going to be walking, jogging, or staggering, 26.2 miles throughout January to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

This will be distance covered just for this Challenge, not including my regular dog walks.

Prostate cancer now affects 1 in 8 men in the UK. That’s thousands of dads, partners, brothers, grandads, uncles and mates.

I’m raising money to help fund lifesaving research and support for men and their families affected by prostate cancer.

Please help me with a bit of Sponsorship at my page – Run the Month: Marathon Edition

I’ll check in again before 2021 ends… see you soon

D X

Lockdown Log, Tiers, and Christmas…

December 5, 2020Acting, Actor, Christmas, comedy, Computer, Covid-19, Dogs, Filmmaking, Food, friends, Mockdown, Sheffield, stage, theatreactor, comedy, Covid-19, family, food, humour, sheffield, theatreDave

Ey up!

I hope you’re all keeping well during these strange continuing times.

Last year I was in a play called The Sylvia Swing, a touching piece about loss and loneliness. Playwright Melanie Hopkins has adapted the stage version to be performed online, and it went live Friday night.

Take a look at the results below. A lovely piece – and feels apt for these times.

The Lockdown Log…

So, Lockdown 2 is over and we are now in Tier 3 (again) – or T3.2 as I think of it.

I spent Lockdown 1 doing a streaming chat show, Mockdown. The link takes you to a playlist of Mockdown episodes.

I passed the days of Lockdown 2 doing a daily log update with a max running time 2:20, so I could post to Twitter.

I’m keeping up with the Log now we’re in T3.2, hopefully through to Christmas at least. Link below is for the YouTube Playlist for the Nov/Dec videos… Take a look, I walk the dogs, eat breakfast, drink coffee and spend time at the computer…. Exciting times.

My Day. Sun 28 Mar. Lockdown 3/Day 83. L03D83.

My Day. Sat 27 Mar. Lockdown 3/Day 82. L03D82.

My Day. Fri 26 Mar. Lockdown 3/Day 81. L03D81

My Day. Thurs 25 Mar. Lockdown 3/Day 80. L03D80

My Day. Weds 24 Mar. Lockdown 3/Day 79. L03D79

My Day. Tues 23 Mar. Lockdown 3/Day 78. L03D78

Stay safe – and call back again soon!

Dave X

Busy few weeks… Christmas Charity Song online now…

December 5, 2020Acting, Actor, celebrities, Christmas, comedy, Dogs, Emmerdale, Film, friends, Humour, Music, Yorkshirecharity song, Christmas songDave

Excuse my absence from the blog folks, I’ve let my daily Lockdown Logs do the talking for me of late, but I do want to share something with you.

Weeks ago, between Lockdowns, I got together with my mates, Paul BALLO Ballington, and my fellow Yorkshire Teabagger John Atherley, to start work on a Christmas song.

During this last lockdown we’ve recorded it, made a video, and now released it just in time for the Festive Season. And we’re using it to raise funds for Yorkshire Children’s Trust. 100% of the funds raised will go straight those who need it and what’s more, it’s serving families in this region! – To donate, click here – https://bit.ly/36plAaE

The Video is below – The single can also be downloaded on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music!

Here’s the Blurb for it..

The U.K’s favourite Singing Plumber, Paul BALLO Ballington always has an annual Christmas song available… But this year it’s something a bit special.

As the nation struggled through the Covid Pandemic, Paul joined up with his mates from “The Yorkshire Teabaggers,” John Atherley and Dave McClelland, to reassure families that Santa would still be calling on them this Christmas.

Recording a song, and shooting a video, isn’t easy when you can’t be in the same room as your bandmates, but the team used technology to put it all together remotely, and the final video is like joining a Zoom call with a bunch of Yorkshire mates. And even Santa himself joins in the call!

And it became a family affair with Paul’s daughter Lana, and John’s wife Maria joining in, along with a cameo from actor Andy Whitaker who plays Policeman PC Swirling on ITV Soap Emmerdale (as Andy Moore) .

The lads wanted to help families who are struggling through the Covid Crisis – and the Yorkshire Children’s Trust seemed like the perfect partner to raise funds for. 100% of the funds raised will go straight those who need it and what’s more, it’s serving families in this region! – To donate, click here – https://bit.ly/36plAaE

The single can also be downloaded on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music!

Coming up Tues Aug 18, Mockdown Confidential, with Andria Hill-Lehr

August 17, 2020Acting, Actor, Canada, Chat Show, comedy, Film, friends, Humour, Mockdown, stage, theatreactor, book, Canada, Covid-19, history, humour, lockdown, Mona Parsons, Nova Scotia, Scotland, Wolfville, WriterDave

Hello Ducky’s

Join me on Tuesday at 8pm for an up close and intimate – yet socially distanced – Mockdown Confidential chat with my lovely friend Andria Hill-Lehr.

Actor, Writer, Educator, Traveller, I met Andria in Nova Scotia – now she’s in Old Scotia – Edinburgh.

She’ll be my guest on Mockdown Confidential Tuesday 18th August at 8pm.

Live on Facebook at – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=345811846599988
And on YouTube at – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWBnZ5cwUqA

Andria Hill-Lehr is a freelance writer and author of two non-fiction books: Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, from Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe (Nimbus Publishing, 2017) and A Mother’s Road to Kandahar (Pottersfield Press, 2008).
She is also a Registered Counselling Therapist and entertaining public speaker offering informative workshops on a variety of topics, including mental wellness in the workplace, pre-retirement preparation (not a finance workshop), humour, conflict, change, and stress.

GUEST WEB – http://andriahill-lehr.ca

Mockdown Confidential show Aug 11th, with Charlie Rhindress!

August 14, 2020Acting, Actor, Canada, celebrities, Celebrity, comedy, friends, Humour, Mockdown, stage, Summer, theatre, TVactor, Canada, Covid-19, film, humour, Rita MacNeil, Stephen King, Stompin Tom, streaming show, youtubeDave

Hello Dahlinks!!!

Had my first special Mockdown Confidential show on Tuesday.
A spinoff from my Mockdown! Show, this is a more intimate one-to-one chat with a special guest…

This week, Canadian Actor, Writer, Theatre Guru, and family guy, Charlie Rhindress joined me to talk about Lockdown, The Canadian Bubble, his books on Canadian Musical Icons, his Lockdown Streaming show (The Charlie & Heather Show), his acting role in an upcoming TV series based on a Stephen King short story, and all the fun acting stuff we did together over many years.

GUEST LINKS
Charlie Rhindress Web SIte • Charlie on Twitter

SUPPORT ARTISTS
Equity Benevolent Fund
Equity Benevolent Fund YouTube Channel
My Ko-Fi link

MUSIC CREDIT
THE ELEVATOR BOSSA NOVA – Composer: Benjamin Tissot
Royalty Free Music from Bensound – www.bensound.com

MOCKDOWN! streams live Sunday evenings at 8pm (UK) on my Actor Facebook Page and on my YouTube Channel.
Past shows are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube

Stay safe lovelies!!!!
D x

Mockdown! Live Chat Show Sun Aug 9th – Film night!

August 10, 2020Acting, Actor, BBC, celebrities, Celebrity, comedy, Coronation St, Film, Filmmaking, friends, Humour, ITV, Short Films, showreel, The Zombie Kingactor, comedy, coronation st, Deatheater, fans, film, Harry Potter, horror, humour, lockdown, showreel, theatre, tv, video, youtubeDave

Hello chums!

I hope you’ve all survived another week of this Pandemic and you’re ready for a bit of entertainment.

Last night’s MOCKDOWN! show was Film themed…. and I had three super guests…

LINDSAY BENNETT-THOMPSON, Actor/Writer/Artist & Filmmaker on her latest project Enter Nirvana, and her recent appearance on Coronation Street…

Harry Potter Movie Death Eater, Actor/Model/Photographer, and mo-cap artist King Regis in Final Fantasy XV video-game, JON CAMPLING…

And, finally, Film Director MATT ROUTLEDGE, his new movie Tribal-Get Out Alive premieres online on Monday…

We chat about the impact Lockdown has had on their lives and work, and what they’re up to now.
[Full Guest info below video]

GUEST INFO

Lindsay Bennett-Thompson
Lindsay is an Actress, Writer and Artist based in the North-West. Her expressive, idiosyncratic look and fearless approach has gained her recognition as a contemporary and bold actress. She began her career early and in her twenties joined and toured with a rock band for a number of years. Following the bands eventual breakup, Lindsay explored her interest in puppetry before returning to study; graduating in 2014 with First Class Honours in Contemporary Theatre and Performance from the University of Central Lancashire. 2019 was a major turning point for Lindsay, after a near death experience and life saving surgery the experience propelled her to continue to push to make her own work and develop her career as a filmmaker an she currently has 2 films PUPPY and ENTER NIRVANA in the festival circuit with ambition to release them online next year. Having gained positive reviews from PUPPY Lindsay is currently developing a feature length screenplay.
Guest Links
Enter Nirvana Trailer
Puppy Trailer
Actor Showreel
Twitter
Web

Jon Campling
Jon was born in Hull and gave up a job for Life with British aerospace to go to drama school in Brum for 3yrs in 89. He now has 97 IMDb acting credits, stopped the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter, and created the character KING REGIS in the global smash game Final Fantasy XV. As well as acting, Jon is also a model, photographer, wand maker, a runner & fitness freak and is currently training to be a singer. His latest film release is ‘Adventure Boyz’ available on all the usual platforms.
Guest Links
Adventure Boyz
Twitter
Instagram
Twitch
Facebook
Web

Matt Routledge
Matt has been actively acting, directing and producing Martial Arts Media since his first ‘Nunchaku Instructional Video’ back in 1992. In 1997 he completed a three year degree course which saw him make two half hour martial arts films ‘Net Chaser’ and ‘Rush Hour’. After working in the industry for well-known companies such as ‘Mersey Television’, ‘Granada Television’ and ‘Sony Entertainment’, he returned to making martial arts films. These include the internationally acclaimed short film “The Car Wash” in 2000 and two TV movies, ‘Fist of Justice’ (2005) and ‘Crazy in Love’ (2004). By now an experienced stuntman/ choreographer and action director, Matt relocated to Thailand where he worked with Jackie Chan on ‘The Medallion’ and action director on Menahem Golan’s last ever martial arts film ‘Final Combat.’ Primarily working as a ‘Director of Photography’ since then, Matt has now moved back into the Director’s chair for the award winning martial arts short film ‘Fixer’ (2016) and most recently the multi-award winning crime caper drama ‘Manipulation’ (2018). A short film that has bagged over 17 awards globally so far in film festivals from Melbourne to Los Angeles.
He’s now releasing the action horror feature film ‘Tribal,’ starring Zara Phythian (Doctor Strange) and Ross O’Hennessey (Game of Thrones).
Guest Links
Tribal – Get Out Alive Premiere
Twitter
Instagram

SUPPORT ARTISTS –
https://www.equity.org.uk/about/benevolent-fund/
My Ko-Fi link – http://ko-fi.com/davemcclelland

MOCKDOWN! streams live Sunday evenings at 8pm (UK) on my Actor Facebook Page and on my YouTube Channel.
Past shows are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube

Stay safe you beauties!
D x

MOCKDOWN! Ep 6, 26th July

July 27, 2020Acting, audiobook, BBC, Broken TV series, comedy, Computer, Covid-19, Family, friends, Humour, Lancashire, Mockdown, Politics, Sheffield, stage, Technology, The Yorkshire Teabaggers, theatreactor, bbc, Blackpool, Broken, comedy, Covid-19, film, humour, lockdown, politics, sean bean, theatre, tv, youtubeDave

Hello friends!

I hope you’re all staying safe and well, despite the best efforts of our government…

Had another fun MOCKDOWN! show last night.
This week’s guests…. Brothers from Other Mothers – and a Sister-in-Law too….
The wonderful trio, STEVE GARTI, JOHN & MARIA ATHERLEY… [Guest details below the video…] We chat about how Lockdown has impacted on them, and what they’re up to now.

MY GUESTS

STEVE GARTI, actor, musician – Acting Credits include The full monty, The Cops, Ashes to Ashes, all the soaps, Brassic. And Broken with me and Sean Bean!
Did years on the club circuit with various bands and was Billy Pierce’s drummer during the late 80’s. A professional cook. Proud dad to his son James who with his partner has recently gifted him a grandson.
https://twitter.com/SteveGarti • http://limemanagement.tv/talent/steve-garti/

My musical brother, JOHN ATHERLEY, my bandmate in The Yorkshire Teabaggers, founded The Sheffield Ukulele Group, and an all round IT Whizz!
He studied drama, went into IT but still had that artistic and performance bug…
Creates his own artwork under the name Tommy Teabag Art, created The Yorkshire Teabaggers which I’m very proud to be part of, formed the Sheffield Ukulele Group and now runs his own Tinterweb design company, Atherweb.
http://www.atherweb.co.uk/ • http://www.tommyteabagart.co.uk/

And John’s partner, MARIA ATHERLEY, an Army brat apparently, studied hospitality management and worked in hospitality and HR, but in recent years has embraced her spiritual side and co-founded The Karma Hub, offering a variety of Yoga, meditation and sound therapies….
http://www.karmahub.co.uk/ • https://www.facebook.com/thekarmahub/

SUPPORT ARTISTS –
https://www.equity.org.uk/about/benevolent-fund/
My Ko-Fi link – http://ko-fi.com/davemcclelland

MOCKDOWN! streams live Sunday evenings at 8pm (UK) on my Actor Facebook Page.
Past show are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube

Stay safe you little beauties!
D x

Christmas is coming. New video, new pics, and on TV in January

December 11, 2017Acting, Actor, celebrities, comedy, Family, Filmmaking, friends, Girlfriends, health, ITV, Music, Parody, Photography, Sheffield, Short Films, The Yorkshire Teabaggers, TVactor, Audio recording, Christmas, family, itv, Kay Mellor, videoDave

Christmas is almost here!
We’ve had the first dusting of snow on the Sheffield hills, my cards are sent, presents mostly bought, now I’m making lists for food shopping for the big day.

I’ve also been busy on the business side, getting new actor headshot pics and making a new video to share with you, so lots to tell you about in this update….

I usually record a video each Christmas of me reading A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS (‘Twas the night…). I used to read it to my children on Christmas eve in the pre-divorce days, but I never see them to read it now, so I started recording it for them.

This year I decided to record an audio version for them and put a bit more into the production side, with sound effects and such. I’m very pleased with the results.

I’ve put it on YouTube with some family photos and videos under the audio, here it is….

If you’d like the original audio version in it’s full glory, it’s here to listen or download…. or buy if you wish to send me money.

I’m going to be in your house in January!
Earlier this year I recorded a lovely episode of GIRLFRIENDS, Kay Mellor’s new drama for ITV. A couple of nice scenes with Miranda Richardson and Zoë Wanamaker. The series begins Weds January 3rd. I’m in Episode 3. It’s a lovely cast, please watch.

Here’s some of the new pics of the new slimmer me (over 80lbs lost now) – and with new glasses too. I’m hoping the new slimmer look leads to more TV work as directors move me from the obese to hunky casting category 😁