Get Your Own Back! - Dave Benson Phillips.
Meet ‘Get Your Own Back’ presenter and children’s entertainer Dave Benson Phillips.
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Hide AdJESSICA FOGARTY speaks to the children's entertainer to find out what life is like as ‘the gunge man’...
Jessica: What's the best and worst aspect of your job?
Dave: The best is when the joke actually happens, the gunging is absolutely fabulous, I love it.
The worst thing is how long it takes to set the show up, but thankfully with the help from my two handy men Luke and Brett, it makes the task a lot easier.
Jessica: Who’s the most famous person you have gunged?
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Hide AdDave: Oh my goodness me, there’s too many to list—I've gunged so many people but the best has to be Mr Blobby, however that didn't go to plan because he ended up gunging me instead.
Jessica: How many times have you been in the gunge tank yourself?
Dave: I've been in the tank four times. The experience is completely unique. You can’t compare it to anything. It gets everywhere there’s no escaping it.
Jessica: What is the gunge made of?
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Hide AdDave: It’s a big secret which I will never disclose. A secret blend of herbs and spices.
Jessica: Has anyone ever taken offence after being gunged?
Dave: Yes countless times—people have tried to attack me before, mainly what happens is people who get gunged then feel the urge to give me a big hug, but most people love it!
Jessica: What has been the most memorable moment of your career to date?
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Hide AdDave: I’ve been entertaining now for more than 30 years so I've had tonnes of memorable moments.
I once had the chance to perform at the London Palladium—presenting to royalty, that was a big highlight in my career. Also, I once performed for 50,000 people at Hyde Park when the sound broke down and they almost lost the broadcast on the BBC. There was just me, a guitar and 50,000 people staring at me. I entertained the crowd for an hour, while big super groups and celebrities stood backstage because they couldn't go on stage. You have to deal with moments like this, this is one I'll always remember.
Jessica: What do you think of children’s TV today?
Dave: I love kids TV, I have a 16 month old son Benjamin so we watch a lot of ‘In the night Garden' and sing along to it—it’s great. There is a lot of great TV out there at the moment and hopefully ill be making some great children’s TV again soon.
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Hide AdJessica: Does your son Benjamin recognise you when he sees you on the TV?
Dave: I’d like to think so, but no he doesn't. I say to him: “Look who it is—it’s me, daddy, on the telly” but he just gives me the look to say “shut up daddy I’m trying to watch my programme and your distracting me.”
Jessica: Will ‘Get Your Own Back’ be making a come-back to our TV screens?
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Hide AdDave: We are working on it now — It’s taken a long time but it’s coming back!
We still want the focus of the show to be for children, but a lot of adults actually want to be dunked themselves — a bit strange I know, but they want to try the experience, so were looking into new ideas for the show to cater for all. So watch this space.