Attended Edge End High School and was taught and encouraged by drama teacher Brian Wellock. Mr Wellock was also actor John Simm's drama teacher when he attended the same school.

[As a non-smoker, how did you cope with all the smoking [in Inspector George Gently (2007)?] I do it because it makes it more authentic and just sets the period so well, as in those days everyone did smoke. It's hard to deal with, when you have to keep repeating a scene though, as you keep on having to light up yet another cigarette.