Pictured: Ben with his father Nigel Wilby, mother Jill
Wilby, grandmother Maureen Smith and Tony Uddin, owner of The
Dilshad
An award winning Staffordshire Indian restaurant dished up a
treat for a child movie star from Cannock to celebrate his 10th
birthday.
Ben Wilby and his family enjoyed a meal at The Dilshad
Restaurant in Chadsmoor, near Cannock, to mark the star's special
milestone.
Ben, from Bishops Close, tied his birthday celebrations in with
finishing filming for his latest movie Nativity 2: The Second
Coming where he is starring alongside Former Doctor Who star David
Tennant.
Ben was 10 last Sunday (Jan 29) and on his birthday competed in
the Wrekin Dance Festival where he came first in his tap dancing
category. He also came third in a classical ballet duet with
partner Sophie Moseley.
Tony Uddin, owner of The Dilshad, displayed birthday banners in
the restaurant and after Ben and his family enjoyed their meal
staff brought in a special birthday cake.
Ben enjoyed his special night with mom Jill, father Nigel and
grandparents Mick and Maureen Smith.
Ben won the hearts of the nation when he played the part of Bob
in the hit 2009 film The Nativity, co- starring Martin Freeman and
Alan Carr and plays the role once again in the sequel set to be
released in November.
Tony said: "Ben is a real star and it was a pleasure to welcome
him and his family to The Dilshad to enjoy a meal. He is a lovely
lad who is so charismatic and you can see why he is such a star. I
will be looking forward to seeing Nativity 2 later in the
year."
His mother Jill added: "Ben had an absolutely lovely time and it
was really nice of Tony and the rest of the staff to make him
feel so special. The Dilshad is a wonderful venue and the food is
just fantastic. Ben will remember his birthday at The Dilshad for
many years to come. It was also great that he celebrated his
birthday during the day by winning his tap class category at the
Wrekin Dance Festival and finishing third with Sophie Moseley in
the classical ballet section. All round it was a fantastic birthday
for Ben."
Ben received a lifesaving nine hour operation at Birmingham
Children's Hospital to relieve pressure on his brain when he was
just two after being treated for cranial synostosis.
Doctors told his parents he might never talk or even walk.
A physiotherapist urged his mom to take him to dance lessons
when he was four to strengthen his legs.
Within two months he had finished second in his first dance
competition and since then he has won a string of competitions
including European Freestyle Champion.
He has also starred in countless adverts and is a regular on
ITV's This Morning.
The Dilshad is the most established Indian restaurant in the
Cannock area having been open for more than 30 years.
Since its opening in 1979 the Dilshad has won a clutch of
trophies for its excellent food and service.
This includes winning the Midlands Curry Cup back in 2008 after
the restaurant impressed the Midlands Balti Association with its
choice of spices and presentation methods.
And in 2010 Dilshad chef Babul Miah was named Chef Of The Year
in the Midlands Curry Awards beating chefs from over 50 restaurants
in Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and
Leicestershire.
It is also home to the UK's hottest curry - The Dilshad
Inferno.
To book a table at the Dilshad restaurant ring 01543 570264.