Dave Bradford

"I am looking forward to a long and happy relationship with Ideal World."

Born in Bournemouth, Dave got an early break in the entertainment business as a technical operator, playing ad jingles in pre-recorded programmes for 2CR. At the same time, he was working voluntarily for Radio Bedside, the local Hospital Radio Station in Bournemouth.

Dave was eventually offered two shows per weekend on Plymouth Sound. As his reputation grew, he moved to the primetime breakfast slot on Southampton's Ocean FM. He had now achieved his dream, being paid for his hobby!

Dave moved into TV shopping with another channel and, until recently, also worked for Granada Television in Liverpool, where they produced the television facilities for the TV station, Shop!. Happy times, but the station was unfortunately one of the casualties of the untimely demise of ITV Digital. He was also selected as one of the voices for the re-launched ITV1.

Q & A:

What did you do before IW?

I was a television announcer for ITV, introducing the programmes, and also a local radio presenter.

Most embarrassing on-screen moment?

Setting fire to a toaster on my first-ever IW show - the instructions were left inside the grill!

Tell us a secret

I’m in the Barry Manilow fan club!

What’s your idea of the perfect Sunday?

Pub lunch in the country with an ice-cold Chardonnay.

Which living person do you most admire and why?

Joan Rivers: for someone who’s gone through so many ups and downs (personal tragedy, financial problems, etc.) she bounces back, tells it like it is and says what we are probably thinking but are to afraid to say.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself and others?

Insincerity and "have a nice day" falseness.

Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you've bought?

My watch, probably!

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Relaxing in Skiathos, a tiny Greek Island where I escape each year.

What keeps you awake at night?

The foxes in my garden.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a genuine, nice bloke.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Don’t live to work, work to live.

Favourite IW product?

That’s a tricky one: the jewellery cleaner, of course!

Which phrase do you overuse?

Believe you me!

If you could travel back in time, which period would you visit?

I would have loved to have been around Liverpool in the sixties.