One of the most popular children's TV presenters, Dave Benson Phillips is hopping off the playbus and heading for Swindon on Thursday, October 26.

Over the last 12 years the entertainer has etched himself a firm place in the hearts of most of the nation's youngsters.

He began his career in 1982 at the Polka Children's Theatre in Wimbledon where as a theatre usher he was bitten by the bug.

He took to performing magic and music shows alongside making props and costumes for the theatre to make ends meet.

He became a Bluecoat at Pon-tins holiday camps like many top stars such as Des O'Connor, Tom O'Connor and Les Dawson.

After a spell as a song and dance man Dave realised that his forte was definitely entertaining children.

He worked at Haven Holidays as a Children's Uncle and it was there he had his big break.

Dave was spotted by the BBC and given the chance to appear on Playbus which later became Playdays and which ran for five years.

Eventually he snaffled his own show on the BBC the popular Get Your Own Back which has now clocked up ten series.

In 1996 he switched to ITV with Disney's Wake Up In The Wild Room which ran for two years on a Saturday morning.

Dave has also starred in the Fun Song Factory video series which has now been televised on ITV.

He has hosted Bitesize and Hunnypot, played Nick Jnr in Nickelodeon, appeared in Cat's Eyes and Go For It.

He has a distinctive voice which lands him work on radio including Playtime for the BBC and an animated series called Dream Street on ITV.

He still enjoys the buzz of live theatre and tours with Get Your Own Back Live and the Dave Benson Phillips Show.

He sang at the London Pallad-ium as part of the Children's Royal Variety Performance and he says it was one of his proudest moments.

Last year he trod the boards in his first musical entitled The Demon Headmaster. He played Eddie Hair.

Pantomimes are an obvious choice for this all round entertainer and last year he topped the bill for the second year running in Peter Pan as Smee in the Civic Theatre at Darlington.

He has a soft spot for children with special needs and made a sign language video especially for them entitled Makaton.

He is appearing at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre in his own show on Thursday at 2pm. Tickets are £6 from Swindon 524481.