- His first job was as a gravedigger, followed by postman and plumber's mate.
- Trained as a teacher at Sunderland Technical College along with his future wife Janet.
- Appeared as a castaway on the BBC Radio program Desert Island Discs on 14 November 2008.
- Sits on the Council of the Society of Authors.
- Has a daughter Jessica.
- Was an illegitimate child who was adopted.
- Adopted into a working-class family living in the West Midlands town of Oldbury.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
