David Bradley

Biography

Born in 1953 to a miner and a seamstress in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, David Bradley rose to prominence as an actor when he portrayed the character Billy Casper in Ken Loach's acclaimed 1969 film, *Kes*. Before landing this iconic role, Bradley had limited experience, having participated primarily in school pantomimes. His breakthrough came through an open audition that drew thousands of hopefuls, showcasing his remarkable talent.

After the success of *Kes*, he adopted the name Dai Bradley to distinguish himself from another actor with the same name who held an Equity card. He transitioned into television, landing lead roles in children’s shows such as *The Flaxton Boys* and *The Jensen Code*, while also making guest appearances in series like *Z Cars*, *Nearest and Dearest*, and *A Family at War*. In the late 1970s, he featured in several notable films, including *All Quiet on the Western Front*, *Zulu Dawn*, and *Absolution*.

However, by the 1980s, Bradley opted to step back from acting and pursued a career in writing. After a significant hiatus, he returned to acting, reclaiming the name David Bradley. His recent credits include the film *Hummingbird* and the popular children’s series *The Dumping Ground*, marking a successful revival of his acting career.