Category Archives: health

The Suicide Monologues. Online this weekend.

Acting, Actor, celebrities, Filmmaking, health, Sheffield, Short Films, , , , , , , ,

Over lockdown I’ve been helping out with an amazing project looking at Suicide and mental health. Something that many have struggled with over the course of this Pandemic.

The Suicide Monologues are a series of thirteen short films which present the testimonies of people who have been affected by suicide and attempted suicide.

The films will be streamed this Saturday, and will be subsequently available to view online.

The project is a collaboration between Kathryn Littlewood, Penny Capper, Charlie Barnes, Brendan Stone, myself, and others. It was funded by the University of Sheffield, and supported by the mental health charity Sheffield Flourish.

The monologues are the true stories of a diverse group of people which are voiced in the films by a range of actors including Julian Richings, Cathy Shipton, Ian Reddington, Alice Barlow, Blue Merrick, Andy Whittaker, Janelle Thompson, Rachael McAllister, and Deepak Verma.

The aim of The Suicide Monologues is to challenge stigma around this complex subject, increase understanding, and create discussion.

You’ll be able to view the films at this link on Saturday 19th September at 19.00.  Please feel free to share this message, but please note that some viewers may find these films distressing.

If you need help you can talk to someone now by phoning Samaritans on 116 123.
You can also contact the 24/7 UK crisis service Shout simply by texting the word ‘Shout’ to 85258.
For more information please visit sheffieldsuicidesupport.co.uk and sheffieldflourish.co.uk

Festival of the Mind brings together University academics and professionals from Sheffield’s cultural, creative and digital industries to bring our research to life in exciting, entertaining and innovative ways.

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

Acting, Actor, celebrities, comedy, Family, Filmmaking, friends, Girlfriends, health, ITV, Music, Parody, Photography, Sheffield, Short Films, The Yorkshire Teabaggers, TV, , , , , ,

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 😁

And here’s a final Christmassy treat for you, the first Yorkshire Teabaggers video. Our parody take on one of the most popular of Christmas songs.

What a lot of Christmas goodies eh?
So, now I’ve unloaded my sack on you, I will bid you a Very Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year.

Stay warm, stay safe, help others, spread the love and be good to yourself.

Love always,
Dave x

 

September…

Acting, Actor, BBC, celebrities, comedy, health, ITV, Photography, Sheffield, showreel, TV, Voiceover, , , , , ,

Hello folks! Quick update and some new pics….

Since the last update I had a great day on a new ITV drama, GIRLFRIENDS, written and directed by the lovely Kay Mellor. Had a lovely scene with Miranda Richardson and Zoë Wanamaker.

Had a couple of meaty auditions for a lovely soap stint and a new musical tour, but no luck on either. Sad Dave. But keeping busy with Showreel updates, so if you’re an actor looking for a new reel, or want to refresh the one you have, give me a shout!

Had a nice photo session yesterday with an up and coming photographer, Samantha Devine, and I’m including a few below. Click to full-size them….

 

The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice there is less of me to feast your eyes upon…
I’m delighted to say my weight-loss routine is going well, I’ve lost over 50lbs since this time last year. Feeling great and buying new clothes to fit the new me.

And finally, coming up, a BBC animated sitcom, STICKY, starring Tom Hardy. More on that when I get the details. You’ll have my voice and an animated version of me!

Stay tuned!
Dave x

Sciatica pain gone…. Thanks Doc!

health, Sheffield, , , , ,

As mentioned in a couple of recent posts, I have been in agony with sciatica as a result of some gardening work, I could barely move a month ago and wasn’t sleeping at all.

The NHS Doctor gave me painkillers but they did very little relief of the pain and nothing to get me mobile again.

So, I visited the local Chinese Doctor for Massage and Acupuncture. Two sessions and advice on where to self-massage with a tennis ball was the start to recovery and today I walked in (pain-free) to see him and offer my thanks.

This man cured my Sciatica

For anyone else in back-pain agony, I can strongly recommend massage and acupuncture, it worked for me.

If you live in Sheffield, I went to The Chinese Doctor in the Hillsborough Shopping Centre. Great friendly place and it’s covered by many medical insurance schemes (Westfield, etc)

Thanks Doc!
D

A tennis ball in my underpants 

comedy, DOH!, health, Humour, Sheffield, ,

Nothing sordid to see here, but I’ve had a tennis ball in my pants for the last couple of weeks. The back of my pants, in case you’re curious. And it’s brought me a lot of comfort. 

I’ve had sciatica for a few weeks now. Painkillers were doing little. Massage and acupuncture brought some relief , but the tennis ball has really helped me do deep massage on my left cheek when the pain is bad. 

Either standing back to a wall and moving around to roll it into painful areas, or rolling it by hand when I need it. I can sit on it and get deep pressure in the sore bits. It’s been a lifesaver. 

So if you see a ball drop from my  jeans, don’t worry, no funny business, just dealing with the pain.

I’m using a plain cheap Poundland tennis ball, not one of the HEAD balls I bought for tennis. That would just be weird 😜

Love & hugs

Dave x

New phone battery – back pain update & Teabagging…

Actor, comedy, health, Humour, Leeds, Music, Parody, Sheffield, Technology, The Yorkshire Teabaggers, , , , , , ,

Ey up pal!!!!

Lovely sunny Spring day today, very nice to see longer days and some sunshine.

Wanted to do a quick update about my iPhone 5s today. Okay, it’s getting on the old side, but it does everything I need, I like the size of it and it’s in good nick. But the battery life was getting to be awful…. Warning messages at 20% and then shutting down, battery lasting half a day so had to carry cables/chargers, etc with me if I was out and about.  And it would always die when I was about to take a great photo. So… I was thinking it was time for a new phone.

But the Yorkshireman in me said no, change the battery lad! I looked at the how-to videos (and this one is particularly good, very detailed). Ordered a new battery/tool pack from Amazon (£12.99) and swapped it over this morning.

Happy to say it all went well and the new battery seems good so far, easy job, just take your time, make room on a desk and have something white to put all the TINY screws on. I used a hair dryer to heat the sticky pads holding the old battery in (blowing on the back, not the exposed innards, and well away from the tiny screws mentioned earlier, didn’t want them blowing off the white pad I’d put them on). First time switched on the screen was showing odd stuff, which meant one of the screen cables wasn’t seated properly, so I went back in, sorted it and job done. I’ll post an update on the life of the new battery in a few weeks, but so far so good!

Oh the agony!

I’m still suffering from back pain. I’ve had sciatica for a couple of weeks now (gardening did me in!) and in agony much of the time. Doc gave me a variety of painkillers, muscle relaxants, etc, but did little to help it. I wasn’t sleeping well at all.

I visited The Chinese Doctor, a local massage/acupuncture place in Hillsborough, and he’s worked wonders. Pinpointed the problem area and I’m now doing my homework to stop muscles in spasm. Hopefully I’ll be back to fine fettle soon.

Teabagging

My back wasn’t feeling great last Friday when the Yorkshire Teabaggers were on the road, playing a gig with the bloody amazing Chuffin Ellvis at the Polish Catholic Centre in Leeds. Painkillers an hour before we went on and the adrenaline of being on stage got me through the show. And thanks to Tommy Teabag for driving me there and carrying my gear. We had a new set list, re-ordered our material, played some new stuff and had an amazing night! Leeds we love you!!!!!

Check the Teabaggers Page for new videos and upcoming dates – we’ve got another brewery show coming up soon!!!

Right, off to stick a tennis ball into the tense bits of my back.
Si the soon!
D x

Back pain and new videos… 

Actor, comedy, DOH!, Film, friends, health, Humour, Music, Parody, Short Films, ,

Oh the pain friends, oh the pain!

I did some tree pruning in the garden a couple of weeks ago, did something to my back and I’m now in agony with Sciatica.

Visits to the doctor have given me pain relief that’s not really touching it. I’ve not slept properly in days, moving from bed to floor to chair to find a comfortable position. My TENS machine goes everywhere, along with a tennis ball to press into the painful area.

Had some relief Wednesday from The Chinese Doctor. Massage and Acupuncture seems to have helped. I’m back today for more. Wish me well!

The pain has made sitting at the computer for editing difficult. A few minutes at the desk, on the floor for a while to relieve the pain, back for more editing and the cycle continues….

First up in the edit suite was a short doc with my hairdresser, Martin Strong, retiring after 45 years. I started seeing him from age 15 or so, and returned to him when I moved back to Sheffield. A lovely chap and I wish him well for the future.

I went for my final trim last week. Here’s his story…..

Next up is a new video of The Yorkshire Teabaggers in rehearsal. We met Monday and I sat when I needed to, used the mic stand for support whilst standing and managed to get through it. Follow us on Facebook for the latest gigs and videos!
Enjoy it!!!

Hoping to return to full back health very soon!!!!

Take care my lovelies! D x

Still hobbling….

DOH!, health

It’s five weeks since I had the cast removed from my broken foot and I’m still getting some pain.

I went to see my GP yesterday and he sent me for an X-ray to make sure the bone had consolidated properly.

20131112-123519.jpg
It still looks broken to me, but the Dr at the fracture clinic says it’s over 50% mended so it’s fine.

People tell me this is a Wayne Rooney injury, but I don’t see me pulling on an England strip for a while yet!

Look inside my body….

Family, health

After 3 weeks with my leg in a cast, I went to the fracture clinic today to check on my progress. They took an x-ray, poked my tender foot and said I needed 3 more weeks in a cast, though I’ve gone down to a smaller ankle to toe cast. My calf feels cold now and my ankle is aching after not being used for 3 weeks.

I had a moment alone in the consultation room to take a picture of the x-ray – here is the offending left foot from 2 angles….

IMG_3463 - Version 2

It’s the long bone on the left that’s broken, the 5th metatarsal.

Life has been slower since the break. I can get around the house ok now, but need two crutches outside and everything takes time. Showering requires a garbage bag and masking tape. Despite the pain, it’s actually quite relaxing to have enforced “Put your feet up” time and I’m trying to make the most of it.