Desperate Dan was from the Dandy and I've always assumed that's why he was called Dan. I didn't realise but while I was looking for the link below I read the Dandy is older than the Beano by several months (Dec 1937 against July 1938). Even my Dad was only 7 years old then!
Here's a link to prove dr big750 has a very good memory. It's on Pinterest but hopefully it works.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/397583473330742979/
In Tipton in the West Midlands there is a Pie Factory which is a restaurant (loosely termed) in the real Black Country. Its pièce de résistance is the Desperate Dan Pie. It is like a meat stew in a massive dish with a pastry topping with big horns. If you order it you had better finish it. It is a matter of pride! I used to go there about once a year as we didn't live that far away. I didn't order the DDP but I would watch others and they would be sweating by the time the last mouthful went in. Here's the link to the place. Worth a look to see the Desperate Dan cut out for photo opportunities and the general feel for the place. Oh and of course pics of the pies.
http://www.madorourkes.com