A pleasure to be of service

He says he was born to look after people and Joan Rivers agreed. CATHERINE COURTENAY meets Dan the British Butler

Careers advice from Joan Rivers – that’s a new one. But apparently, I wouldn’t be here now, talking to Dan Prattley, if it hadn’t been for a few encouraging words from the famous American comedian.

We’re having a coffee in Totnes and Dan is telling me about his work. He’s a Royal Householdapproved private butler, who spends his time working for UHNW families at their homes around the world, including London, Monaco, the South of France and New York. And for those who don’t know, Ultra High Net Worth individuals are those who have a net worth of around $30 million.

Talking to Dan is a delight, I could chat with him for hours. He’s entertaining, engaging and so polite – one of the first things he does is apologise for not being born in Devon: “Mum said I’ll be called a blow-in.”

But I reckon Dan qualifies as an honorary local – the county was home to generations of his family on his mum’s side, and he spent many happy childhood holidays with his aunts in North Devon.

Dan and his husband Ian, an advanced emergency nurse practitioner, are now moving back to Devon from London, and are busy house hunting in the area. Portsmouth-born Dan (his dad was in the Navy) remembers staying with his aunts in Appledore and his recollections come in the finest detail – not just the “beaches and endless sunshine” but a room, the secret room he calls it, which was filled with silver and glassware. “I just loved being in there, playing with everything and organising it all.”

I picture the little Dan, setting out cutlery and polishing glasses.