David Van Day chats 'Showbusiness'

With a CV that includes popstar, burger van owner and jungle villain, David Van Day has had quite the career. Teaming up with his wife Sue Moxley, DVD is having another crack at the fame game by launching pop duo Rich and Famous. The pairing appeared for the first time on Louie Spence's Showbusiness last night and have big plans for the future. We caught up with them to find out if they are taking this latest pop adventure seriously.



How did you get involved in this Sky1 show David?
"Let me tell you about this. I got involved in Pineapple a bit at the end of the last series and the guys involved said, 'we want more'. So I said, 'what am I going to do?' They said, 'what about singing?' and I said, 'another comeback!' and laughed. But then I thought about it and I spoke to my wife Sue and we thought it might be quite nice to have an act together. So that's how Rich and Famous were formed."

What are Rich and Famous all about?
"Rich and Famous will be in most of the episodes from now on and it follows us on our quest for fame and fortune. We'll be followed as we try and get some live work, heading out to the holiday camps, Butlins, Pontins - that's been quite successful - and even when it doesn't work out they film all of that. It's all a little tongue-in-cheek, very much like the stuff with Louie and Andrew on the show."

Is it strange getting back into the music industry?
"Well, I never thought I would make a record again, but I have. I didn't want to make a record like all the other '80s comeback acts - Bananarama, Duran Duran - which still sound like they are being made in the '80s. So we've done something different and there's not a lot of me on it. What we have is three contemporary rappers, who have come in and they really enhance the record and the whole thing."

Can you tell us a bit more about the record?
"The record is called 'Rich and Famous' and it's all about being rich and famous. It started as a tongue-in-cheek thing, but I actually think it's quite good. This is the last thing I expected to be doing at my age, but I've done it and I just hope people like it. The ultimate test will be the viewers who watch the show and see if they download."

What does it sound like?
"It is a contemporary, dance style; it is clubby with 24 bars of rap. What the guys are singing about is the red carpet, the paps and champagne. It's about how life is tough at the top, but s**t at the bottom. Many people get it, but not many people keep it. You know the world of TV and fashion is fickle and the public are very fickle. Even the biggest A-List stars have their downturns, but they are lucky enough they can sit on their millions and ride it out. Many beautiful and talented people don't make it in this industry.

Were you a fan of Pineapple?
"I first saw it a year ago and like everyone else I loved it. I thought, 'this can't be real'. It's very avant-garde. I mean there's nothing real about it, but there's nothing real about any reality show, I don't care what anyone says. All these shows like The X Factor are just designed for audiences as light entertainment. I find it funny when Simon Cowell criticises acts as cabaret, when that is what his show is about. It's just done on a bigger stage. What Cowell is doing is no different to Opportunity Knocks or Mickie Most on New Faces. He was a record producer doing exactly the same thing. I always think the future is in the past with entertainment - we just present it in a different light. People are waiting for the next big thing after reality TV and it will come from something that's been done before."

Will you be taking part in the Ultimate I'm A Celebrity?
"I have heard about it, but I won't do it. You have to think what the benefit will be for me. Also, I do wonder if they send in all the nice Kings and Queens, what it will be like. It will be as dull as dishwater. And I'm not sure it's wise for me to go in there with the Janice Dickinsons and Gillian McKeiths of this world. I mean, money talks... but I'm not sure they'd offer a lot anyway. When I was in the jungle, it wasn't the greatest experience in the world - I wouldn't have chosen to be there or chosen those people. It's all a big psychology game. The food is not worth having - you're best sticking to the rice and beans - and at the end of it all you can't control the editing. I don't think those guys would want me back in there again anyway."

Have you and Sue got any other projects on the go?
"Well it will all depend on how we are accepted by the public, media and people behind the scenes. But having heard people talking who have seen bits of us on the show, I hate to be the one to break it to you boys and girls, but David and Sue may get their own show! We could be a wacky Richard and Judy. Except we wouldn't be about the guests. They would be the least important thing. We wouldn't hide behind them. Sue is also working on shows about proms. We've been to a big prom convention and that industry is getting bigger by the second. I think you'll be seeing shows like Prom Girls and Prom UK being commissioned and hitting your screens. It will be really interesting to watch and a bit like this Gypsy Wedding thing."

Louie Spence's Showbusiness continues on Wednesday nights at 9pm on Sky1