Editing Dave Willetts (section)

== Early life ==
Born in [[Marston Green]], [[Birmingham]], in 1952 and then brought up in [[Acocks Green]].<ref name="Alison">{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Alison|title=Willetts still on song|url=https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/willetts-still-on-song-3967134|accessdate=24 March 2018|work=Birmingham Post|date=31 May 2013}}</ref> He first went to Cottesbrooke Infants primary school and later to Sheldon Heath Comprehensive (now known as [[King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy]]). His father worked at [[Rover Company|Rover]].<ref name="moseley">{{cite web|last1=Solomon|first1=Deryck|title=A profile - Dave Willetts: Birmingham's Star of the Musical|url=http://colonel-moseley.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/profile-dave-willetts-birminghams-star.html|date=5 April 2012|publisher=colonel-moseley.blogspot.co.uk|accessdate=25 March 2018}}</ref><!-- based on a profile first appeared in Birmingham Life magazine--> He has completed a [[Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme]] programme.<ref name="Goldstein">{{cite web|last1=Goldstein|first1=Nicole|title=20 Questions: Love Beyond's Dave Willetts|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/dave-willetts-interview_35814.html|date=22 September 2014|publisher=whatsonstage.com|accessdate=24 March 2018}}</ref> After leaving school at 16, he joined [[Lucas Industries#Girling|Girling Brakes]] as an [[apprentice]],<ref name="moseley"/> in [[Cwmbran]], [[Wales]].<ref name="Owens">{{cite news|last1=Owens|first1=David|title=West End star Dave Willetts returns to 'home-from-home' Wales to star in 42nd Street|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/west-end-star-dave-willetts-2024487|accessdate=25 March 2018|work=walesonline.co.uk|date=26 March 2013}}</ref> He then moved to another Girlings plant in [[Pontypool]], with his then girlfriend Lyn.<ref name="Owens"/> 
One night he went out with workmates to see “No, No Nanette” by the [http://www.ventureplayers.wales New Venture Players], an amateur drama group based in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]].<ref name="moseley"/> based at the [[Dolman Theatre]].<ref name="Owens"/> Despite rarely ever visiting a theatre, impressed by the play, he became interested in amateur dramatics. He auditioned for the New Venture Players next production, and finally landed a role.<ref name="moseley"/> After 10 years in South Wales, he returned to Birmingham to take up a managerial post.<ref name="moseley"/> He then worked as a [[Quality control|quality manager]] for [[British Leyland]], an engineering company producing components for the automotive industry in the [[English Midlands|Midlands]].sheridan engineering <ref name="Goldstein"/> But he also joined the Leamington and Warwick Operatic society to later star in “Music Man”.<ref name="moseley"/> He then played 'Charlie Gordon' in amateur production of [[Charles Strouse]] musical, ''[[Flowers for Algernon]]'',<ref name="Goldstein"/> at the Priory Theatre in [[Kenilworth]].<ref name="Warwickshire"/> Peter McGarry, the theatre critic of the Coventry Evening Telegraph gave him a rave review of his performance.<ref name="moseley"/>

He then came to the attention of Bob Hamlyn, artistic director of the [[Belgrade Theatre]], in [[Coventry]] who cast him as "third flunky from the left" in another show by Strouse, ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]''.<ref name="Warwickshire">{{cite news|title=Dave Willetts: Living the Musical Dream|url=http://www.warwickshirelife.co.uk/people/dave-willetts-living-the-musical-dream-1-1570392|accessdate=23 March 2018|work=Warwickshire Life|date=20 February 2013}}</ref> It was at this time, while Willetts was in his thirties, that he began his meteoric rise to the top, with the support of his wife.<ref name="Alison"/> He decided to give up his management career and became an 'actor', while working part-time as a waiter  and his wife as a childminder.<ref name="moseley"/>