Dropdown not binding to Database value

Hi all,
I have a dropdown (ddConsultant), which I am trying to bind to a value which is returned from the database - problem is that it is not binding - I have tried a few different ways as you can see below, but nothing is happening. All my other fields (textboxes etc) are binding correctly. What am I doing incorrectly?
Thanks

Dim dr As OracleDataReader = DataProvider.CheckJobHistoryId(CStr(txtHistRef.Text))
If dr.Read() Then

ddConsultant.Items.FindByValue(dr("CONSULTANT")).Selected = True

ddConsultant.SelectedItem.Value = dr("CONSULTANT")

ddConsultant.SelectedItem.Text = dr("CONSULTANT")

t ...