Meet the Portsmouth Spiderman helping kids fight 'super villain' coronavirus

THIS Milton-based drama teacher and entertainer has a secret identity – and he’s using it to battle lockdown blues across his neighbourhood.
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Aled Price, of Hollan Road, Milton, has taken to the streets dressed as Spiderman, cheering up children stuck in isolation at home during the national lockdown.

The 28-year-old has spent more than nine years dressing up the web-slinging superhero as part of his entertainment business and has been going out into the community during the lockdown as a way to raise the community’s spirits.

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Practising safe social distancing, Aled’s Spiderman has been teaching children exercises to stay fit during the lockdown, and a video of him singing the classic Spiderman theme tune - featuring new lyrics about washing your hands – has had thousands of views.

The idea came to the entertainer after he received more than 100 requests for personal videos.The idea came to the entertainer after he received more than 100 requests for personal videos.
The idea came to the entertainer after he received more than 100 requests for personal videos.

The entertainer said the idea to hit the streets came to him after being making more than 100 video messages for children isolating at home.

He said: ‘I received so many messages from people saying their child wanted to see Spiderman.

‘So I did a community shout-out online saying I would use my hour’s exercise to say hello to people.

‘It was so well received I was asked to it again.

The community-minded superhero has lost a significant part of his livelihood due to the coronavirus pandemic.The community-minded superhero has lost a significant part of his livelihood due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The community-minded superhero has lost a significant part of his livelihood due to the coronavirus pandemic.

‘I just wanted to spread some joy and cheer people up.’

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For Milton resident and Milton Village Community Association admin assistant Kimberly Barrett, seeing the wall-crawling hero helped to make a memorable birthday for son Jacob, who turned nine on Tuesday.

She said: ‘He absolutely loved it. Spiderman is one of his favourite characters.

‘Aled does great work for the community – he’s a real community champion.’

Milton-based Aled Price has been dressing up as Spiderman to cheer up children in lockdown this week.Milton-based Aled Price has been dressing up as Spiderman to cheer up children in lockdown this week.
Milton-based Aled Price has been dressing up as Spiderman to cheer up children in lockdown this week.

The community champion also runs two entertainment academies in the Milton Village Community Association and Havant Academy, Leigh Park, which are continuing with some lessons being held online.

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But his livelihood as an entertainer has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic – losing tens of thousands of pounds worth of performance contracts scheduled up until September.

He said: ‘Business has been really tough.

‘All my events and jobs have disappeared.’

And now he hopes a silver lining of the lockdown measures will be a greater appreciation for people who make a living entertaining others.

Aled said: ‘I still get asked, ‘when are you going to get a proper job?’

‘People don’t see entertainment as essential.

‘But now more than ever people need escapism – especially children. It’s scary for them – there’s a supervillian out there that they don’t understand.

‘So it’s a good thing Spiderman is about.’