Dan was friendly but quiet when growing up and struggled to thrive due to bullying and unexplained pain - regardless of this he started singing as soon as he could speak, finding a natural connection to a variety of music. He joined his mum in a local choir, learning how to harmonise and shifting from soprano to bass at the age of eleven. This versatility continued as he sang with other groups and maintained the ability to switch falsetto when needed.

Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome after many years of experiencing joint instability, chronic pain and tiredness, Dan became disabled in his early thirties. Several attacks of paralysis reduced his mobility and he started using a wheelchair to regain his independence. After persistent paralysis required him to learn to walk again, he regained the ability to take a few steps at a time and stand for short periods. When he started having persistent vocal cord paresis, he trained himself to use just one vocal cord to achieve a comparable volume and control.

He connects with others all over the world through music and is an avid user of Smule Sing under the name Abasudika. Singing allows him to tap into the emotion from his varied life experiences and put himself in the shoes of a character - it also helps him to deal with the pain of his degenerative condition.

Having built his confidence and ability over many years, he takes on songs from a wide range of genres, including musical theatre, power ballads, love songs and pop. He loses himself in the narrative and emotion of each song and can occasionally be heard singing in other languages such as Italian, French, German and Spanish.

Dan has become an advocate for others with disabilities and gives talks as a Key Opinion Leader to raise awareness of rare diseases. His inclusive nature helps to build bridges between communities and to gently educate those who are unaware of the difficulties disabled people may have.

A Technician by trade, he works for University of Derby, using his wealth of experience from the film and television industry to create interactive training content and to coach staff and students in creative disciplines such as photography, audio, music and video editing.

He and his wife, Jennifer Tee, founded Wild Arc Studios Ltd together. The company has two trading names - Sense of Calm provides calming sensory products, pop-up spaces for private hire, developmental play sessions and early years courses such as baby massage and tummy time; Loop the Loop Designs offers uplifting clothing, accessories and gifts for women, including a signature Love Heart cowl neck hoodie. They were inspired to create their business after the birth of their daughter and pool their varied skills to put forward unique and inspiring ideas.