David Mitchell in resplendent Regency livery is Chester’s Town Crier.

David Mitchell is the Town Crier of Chester, the only place in Britain to have retained the tradition of regular midday proclamations at a fixed place and time (Tuesday-Saturday, June-August, at noon).

David has made many appearances on TV and radio. He was also the Town Crier in two full-length films – ‘Moll Flanders’ with Alex Kingston and ‘24 Hour Party People’ with Steve Coogan.

Together with his wife, Julie, he was the subject of a documentary made by NHK, a leading Japanese television company.

David is a popular and entertaining speaker on the luncheon club and after-dinner circuit, having professionally entertained over a thousand audiences. He has been invited to give his costumed presentation in towns and cities all over Britain, as far afield as Ayr, Falmouth, Guernsey and the Isle of Man and left them laughing in every place he has visited.

David also presents a one-man show, entitled ‘For Crying Out Loud!’, which he has performed at theatres in Eastbourne and Epsom as well as in his home city of Chester. This is believed to be the first time a town crier has ever done a one-man show.

One reviewer said of the show’s debut, ‘Dress David Mitchell in a town crier’s outfit, give him a handbell and put him under the spotlight on a stage, and he will give you a powerful demonstration of how to have an audience eating out of his hand.’

David has hosted four World Town Crier Tournaments in Chester. As a competitor David was placed third in the 1999 World Championship on Vancouver Island, Canada, and in 2008 in Alnwick David became British Champion.

David’s contribution to Chester and Cheshire was recognised when he was made the first-ever recipient of the Chester Chronicle’s ‘Pride of Cheshire’ Award, as voted for by readers.

David has also written the first-ever history of the roles of the town crier and bellman, and as he is often known to say, “It’s so good, I’ve read it 40 times!”  Find out more here about David’s book, The Word on the Street