Danny Dillard was born in 1994 and lived in a flat on the Fenmere estate with his father Steve Dillard. By 2008 his mother had left the family, turning his father into an alcoholic who would regularly beat him.

As a teenager Danny was quiet and kept to himself. He enjoyed reading comic books.

Danny was given a Rehabilitator by a friend and took it home. Believing it to be a kaleidoscope, Danny used the device. He stared at his father through the Rehabilitator, and discovered that the device was transforming his father into a more idealised version of himself. This, combined with a chemical reaction caused by the extraterrestrial metal the Rehabilitator was made from, caused Danny to quickly become addicted to the device. As he continued to use it his father continued to reform, while Danny was simultaneously becoming drained of physical and mental energy. After one whole night of continuous usage these effects became permanent.

Torchwood Three took the device from Danny and erased his memory of what had happened. Eleven days later, Danny stole fifty pounds from his father and ran away from home. He then lived on the streets, and did whatever he needed to do to keep getting drugs. (PROSE: Kaleidoscope)