The son of a Scottish father from Glasgow and an Irish mother from Cork, David Davidson was born in Kidbrooke, London, and began his educational journey at Kidbrooke Park Primary School in Blackheath, followed by St Austin's School in Charlton. His early life was marked by a flair for impressions, as he would often entertain acquaintances of his father with his spot-on impersonations of celebrities. This talent did not go unnoticed, and at the tender age of 12, Davidson was chosen to appear in Ralph Reader's Gang Show at the Golders Green Hippodrome, a prestigious platform that further honed his skills. He also made his television debut on the Billy Cotton Band Show during this time.
Davidson's post-school life was filled with a variety of occupations, including drumming for pub bands, working as a supermarket shelf stacker, a messenger, an air ticket clerk for a travel agency, a cashier for Wall's ice cream, a reprographics operator for Rank Xerox, and even a window cleaner. Despite his diverse work experiences, Davidson's true calling remained in the entertainment industry.
It was during his time as a regular performer at a pub in Woolwich that Davidson stumbled upon his calling. When the regular comedian failed to show up, Davidson took the stage and delivered an impromptu act that left the audience in stitches. This chance opportunity led to a regular spot on the London comedy circuit, where he honed his craft and developed a unique style.
Davidson's big break came when he auditioned for New Faces in 1975, a show that he ultimately won by a narrow margin. This success was followed by a string of television appearances, including What's on Next? and several series of his own show, The Jim Davidson Show, which ran for five complete series and earned him the TV Times award for "Funniest Man On Television."
In addition to his television work, Davidson also developed a touring show that was geared towards a more mature audience. This adult-oriented comedy act featured strong language and was marketed as adult entertainment. Over time, Davidson's touring show evolved into his adult pantomime work, which included productions with titles such as Boobs in the Wood and SINderella.
