Following a very brief spell as an extra in a 1984 episode of The Bill, Dave got his first real breakthrough as a thespian in 10 episodes of a TV series starring Leslie Grantham: The Paradise Club. Dave appeared as a Minder in the BBC series, though not without controversy. Dave had already received a 3 year jail sentence at the Old Bailey, following a charge of attempted murder, as well as being found guilty of Grievous Bodily Harm twice. On yet another occasion he was found guilty of possessing a sawn-off shotgun complete with live rounds, and fighting outside of a nightclub.