Paul Ballard
Encyclopedia
Paul Ballard is an English television presenter and stage actor best known by his nickname 'Des' as the co-presenter, along with Fearne Cotton
, of the Saturday morning children's television programme Diggit from 1998 until 2002.
After playing a trick or treater
who beat up Rik Mayall
and Adrian Edmondson
in the 'Terror' episode of Bottom
, Des was next seen as co-presenter of the Disney Club in the mid 1990s. After a change in the show's format, he presented a new Sunday morning slot called Roadhog where he would take a Volkswagen Camper Van
, decorated with ears and orange spots, on the road to viewers homes and schools.
He appeared on a one off Daz
washing powder TV advertisement, with his big sister. It featured him winning something out of a toy grabbing machine, and his mother criticising him for wasting money.
He also continued his association with the Disney Club which too had changed format and was now presented by Craig Doyle
, the twins, Sam and Matt and Reggie Yates
(known as Robbie on Disney Club) between 1995-1998.
In April 1998, Ballard and Fearne Cotton
launched a new interactive Disney slot as part of GMTV
called Diggit.
He continued with the show through until 2002 with a number of co-presenters including Jack Stratton, winner of a second nationwide search for a new presenter in December 1998, and Laura Jaye & Victoria Hickson who replaced Fearne Cotton in 2001.
Ballard also starred as Smee with Boxer and close friend Ross Kent as hook in a stage production of Peter Pan
at the Central Theatre in Kent in 2001.
He left Diggit in 2002 shortly before its relaunch into Diggin' It
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
, of the Saturday morning children's television programme Diggit from 1998 until 2002.
After playing a trick or treater
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat is a 1952 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The cartoon, which takes place on Halloween night, follows a series of pranks between Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie who are aided by Witch Hazel...
who beat up Rik Mayall
Rik Mayall
Richard Michael "Rik" Mayall is an English comedian, writer, and actor. He is known for his comedy partnership with Ade Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s...
and Adrian Edmondson
Adrian Edmondson
Adrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson is an English comedian. He is probably best known for his comedic roles in the television series The Young Ones and Bottom , for which he also wrote together with his long-time collaboration partner Rik Mayall.-Early life:Edmondson, the second of four children, was...
in the 'Terror' episode of Bottom
Bottom (TV series)
Bottom was a British sitcom television series that originally aired on BBC2 between 1991 and 1995. It was written by comic duo Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson who star as Richie and Eddie, two flatmates living on the dole in Hammersmith, London...
, Des was next seen as co-presenter of the Disney Club in the mid 1990s. After a change in the show's format, he presented a new Sunday morning slot called Roadhog where he would take a Volkswagen Camper Van
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
, decorated with ears and orange spots, on the road to viewers homes and schools.
He appeared on a one off Daz
Daz (detergent)
Daz is the name of a popular laundry detergent on the market in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is manufactured by Procter & Gamble and is lower priced than P&G's main brand, Ariel...
washing powder TV advertisement, with his big sister. It featured him winning something out of a toy grabbing machine, and his mother criticising him for wasting money.
He also continued his association with the Disney Club which too had changed format and was now presented by Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle
Craig Doyle is an Irish television and radio presenter. To British viewers he is recognisable as working for the BBC and ITV...
, the twins, Sam and Matt and Reggie Yates
Reggie Yates
Reginald "Reggie" Yates is a British actor, television presenter and radio DJ of Ghanaian descent. He went to Central Foundation Boys' School.-Early career:...
(known as Robbie on Disney Club) between 1995-1998.
In April 1998, Ballard and Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
launched a new interactive Disney slot as part of GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
called Diggit.
He continued with the show through until 2002 with a number of co-presenters including Jack Stratton, winner of a second nationwide search for a new presenter in December 1998, and Laura Jaye & Victoria Hickson who replaced Fearne Cotton in 2001.
Ballard also starred as Smee with Boxer and close friend Ross Kent as hook in a stage production of Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
at the Central Theatre in Kent in 2001.
He left Diggit in 2002 shortly before its relaunch into Diggin' It