David, the son of a naval seaman, was born in Gillingham and grew up amidst the economic struggles of the 1930s. To support his family during this challenging time, he took on various jobs, including working as a milkman and a butcher's boy. However, it was his discovery of his acting talent in RAF concerts, music halls, and pantomimes that ultimately changed the course of his life.
David's big break came when a film casting agent, who had seen him portray the demon king in a pantomime, offered him a significant sum of £20 per day to appear in the film "Cockleshell Heroes". This marked the beginning of a prolific career in the film industry, with David going on to make over 60 films.
In addition to his work in film, David also spent approximately six months on the BBC TV serial "United", where he played the role of Jerry Barford, the football manager. His personal life is just as fulfilling, as he is married to a French woman named Lyn and resides in Richmond.