I was born in Yorkshire, England. My father was a coal miner and my mother was half Romany Gypsy. I don't remember much about her (she died when I was young) but I will always be indebted to her for teaching me to read and write at an early age and instilling in me a love of the English language. My main passion in life is the theatre. I am involved with several local Community Theatre groups as an actor, director and occasional playwright. Now that I am in my 55th year my only ambitions are to live out the rest of my life with as little discomfort as possible and to play Lear's Fool.