Coach Trip: What is the history between Cheryl Baker & David Van Day?

Long story!

1981/82, Bucks Fizz (feat. Baker) were a chart-eating pop act to be reckoned with. Dollar (feat. Van Day) had a few hits around this time. The pop press staged a kind of forerunner to the Blur-Oasis war between the two. Van Day slagged off Buck Fizz at every opportunity before going solo and, ironically, recording with Bucks Fizz’s producer. Not, in itself, the basis of the hatred but it might contain the germ of some low-grade animosity.

By the 90s, Bucks Fizz was still going but there had been line-up changes. Cheryl Baker, her best mate Mike Nolan, Jay Aston and Shelley Preston (Aston’s replacement since 1985) had left by the time Van Day joined the line up, headed by founder member Bobby G. By all accounts, it was a hellish relationship that Bobby G terminated toute de suite. Van Day capitalised on the fact that Bobby G and Mike Nolan had fallen out. He called Nolan immediately, saying that he too had fought with G and suggested that they set up their own Bucks Fizz. Nolan, having had a hard time with the strident, bossy Bobby G was not surprised by Van Day’s claims to have been hurt by the process and, missing performing, agreed to work in this new Bucks Fizz. Legal battles over the name aside, Nolan describes working with Van Day as the worst period by far in his professional career. While the working relationship was bad enough, Van Day also “relieved” Nolan of a signifcant amount of money by dishonest means (source: the surprisingly fascinating “Story of Bucks Fizz” documentary, available on DVD). Court cases ensued, and the judges found in Nolan’s favour. Van Day promptly declared bankruptcy without ever repaying a penny of the many thousands of pounds he had swiped.

Cheryl Baker is very much a plain speaking tell-it-like-it-is person. However, anyone who had seen the reality TV show “Reborn in the USA” might also remember a pretty fierce spat between Van Day and former popstar Sonia. She described him on air and to his face as a nasty piece of work. It seems a reasonable enough description of the man who, more recently, dumped his girlfriend on live TV. It’s not hard to imagine David Van Day being a hate figure, generally.

David Van Day

Not forgetting that Cheryl and Mike Nolan are best friends, of course. She wouldn’t have reacted well to the way ‘Burger’ Van Day treated Mike, she has always been very protective of him, particularly since he was so badly hurt in the coach crash in December 1984.

I asked the same question too. I read one of the answers here as the reason why. But I don’t know why I still like David maybe I liked him in Dollar.

Also probably Ive never met him and not know what he’s really like. Maybe he’s nice to some people or he just hurts people without realising it.

Ive noticed his good side as well and has raised money for various charities like the Alzheimer’s disease I think his mother suffers from. Im sure inside he must be very caring he doesn’t always show it outside that’s probably why so many don’t like him. Especially when he was in the jungle.

I’m pleased you’ve posted this question because I’m sure David Van Day will be reading these replies very soon.

That guy really does come over as a t****r and Tony Blackburn seem to be embarassed by his company. Never been too keen on CB but after seeing her get stuck into him and bringing him to tears, she’s gone up quite a few notches in my estimation.

BTW. I know your going to read this David and I’ll repeat – you need to get a life t****r.

It’s not often you get a celeb slag another off on camera.

Well done Cheryl the funniest thing on tv for ages, the look on burger vans face was magic, I too have heard the stories about him and his smug attitude, well serves him right. Ha ha!

Think the love-god summed it all up

Mainly David Van Day trying to use the Bucks Fizz name instead of the original band members

She really didn’t like him at all did she.

Mind you she didn’t last long on there think Rodney Marsh really didn’t want to be there at all.

They were both in Bucks Fizz, and whenever I see him on reality shows he’s a bit of an a*se so I wouldn’t blame her if she hates him. I think I’d feel the same way if I knew him for any length of time.

lol back to Bucks Fizz days no doubt he wasnt in Fizz but was around at the time