David Ian
Current Role
David Ian is currently preparing to be involved in the casting of Britannia High, a new ITV1 musical drama series. David may be more familiar to you as a judge on the popular TV show Grease is the Word, which saw him and fellow judges David Gest, former pop star Sinitta, and Brian Friedman choose Susan McFadden and Danny Bayne to star as Sandy and Danny in the West End Musical of the hit film.
In 2006 David and Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to document their search for a new Maria Von Trapp in their stage production of The Sound of Music with a show named, How do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. The television programme saw thousands of young hopefuls audition for the role. It was the success of this show that resulted in the commissioning of Grease is The Word and Any Dream Will Do, which cast the main character in Joseph.
Early Life
David was born in 1961 in Chadwell Heath, Greater London. It was very clear early on in his life that David had a special passion for acting. After gaining a great reputation as an excellent actor, he became a theatre producer and has since become one of the most important men in the theatre industry. David has also been associated with some of the most successful shows in the West End.
Career Highlights
The actor turned producer was named by The Stage as "The most powerful man in UK theatre" in 2005. As well as starring as a judge on Grease is the Word, he also co-produced the BBC series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?.
Whilst still an actor, David starred in a number of theatre productions and was even an understudy for Cliff Richard at one point. In 1990, whilst starring in The Pirates of Penzance at the London Palladium, David met fellow actor Paul Nicholas. Together they created a partnership called Paul Nicholas & David Ian Associates to produce a touring adaptation of The Pirate of Penzance.
Interesting Facts
Paul Nicholas & David Ian associates have produced shows including:
- Jesus Christ Superstar - The Concert
- Grease - UK Tour
- The Rocky Horror Show
- Ain't Misbehavin'
- Singin' in the Rain
- Evita - UK Tour
- Happy Days - UK Tour
- Saturday Night Fever - at the London Palladium
- David met his wife Tracey in 1990 during a Christmas Pantomime.
- He owns a 17th century farmhouse in the Dordogne in France.
Awards
David Ian is a past winner of The Stage 100 Award, the newspapers guide to the 100 most influential people in UK Theatre today.
