As a young individual, he was exposed to the world of drama through lessons he received during his childhood. At the tender age of 12, he had the opportunity to hone his craft by participating in a season at the renowned Old Vic.
After completing his education, he took on a unique challenge by serving his national service in the Royal Signals. During his time in the military, he discovered a new passion for boxing and went on to become a skilled light welterweight. He remains a dedicated member of the Amateur Boxing Association to this day.
Upon being demobilized, he found himself struggling to maintain his connections within the theatre community. He was deemed too old to be considered for juvenile roles and too young to be cast as a 25-year-old. As a result, he was forced to seek alternative employment, spending time in factories and driving lorries.
However, his fortunes took a turn for the better in 1962 when Arnold Wesker approached him to play the role of Charlie Wingate in the production Chips With Everything. Although he eventually left the project, he was offered another chance to shine when he was cast as Rita Tuhingham's husband in the film Leather Boys.
