" But I wanted to do I.T., not stupid 'Expressive Arts' "

My famous last words as I packed my satchel and unknowingly took myself off to school to commence the one subject that has stood me in good stead for a now 17 year long career in professional entertainment!

If I'm really honest, it wasn't the most memorable 2 years of school life, aside of playing 'Wild Bill Hickok' in the school production of 'Calamity Jane', Mr Jewkes and Miss Birchall of Nether Stowe High School in Lichfield probably did try their best to keep me enthralled in the depths of 'Expressive Arts' but I'm not sure I was 100% committed from the off so it was always going to be a bit of a "here's what you could have won" scenario!!

In reflection it did, in some strange way, encourage me in the direction that would send me into the business we call 'show'. Aged just 17 and eagerly rehearsing to play the role of 'Rolf' in the Lichfield Operatic Society's upcoming production of 'The Sound Of Music' I then simultaneously recieved two job offers after earlier auditions which led me to pack up my orange Ford Fiesta and fly the family nest in search of stardom! Bearing in mind this was before the times of Pop Idol and the XFactor reality show madness it was, at that time, a stepping stone and apprenticeship which gave me not only the best start-up experience I could have hoped for, but also some very happy times as a Pontin's Bluecoat in North Wales 1995 - 1998.

It was in 1997, after my stint as a Bluecoat and thereafter 'Entertainments Manager' that I decided to try my luck on the local circuit and hit the road as a fully fledged vocalist, my two years at Pontin's had provided the basic grounding, now it was time to put it to good use! After many varied nights up and down the A55 to the back and beyond (and that was just Anglesey!) it was in 1998 when I landed my first summer season as a professional vocalist with Stageworks Wordwide Productions aka. Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Now I had realised another dream, aged just 20, I had landed a paid professional summer season contract in BLACKPOOL, the Las Vegas of the North! Relocation seemed easier than expected and I decided it was time to get out and meet the locals and I entered all the local talent shows. The 'Talk Of The Coast', 'Layton Institute', 'The Alabama' and the late 'Tangerine Club' were the places that gave me the contacts I needed to get started on the Blackpool cabaret scene and, in no time, I was gigging 6/7 nights a week from hotel to hotel, 2 or 3 spots a night and enjoyed three great years at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the' Paradise Show', 'Cosmic' and 'Force Five' at The Star PLUS an appearance as 'Dandini' in Cinderella at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool. My 12 years in Blackpool has brought a huge variety of work including hosting the famous 'Layton Institute' Summer Shows 2003 & 2007 and my recent two years at the 'Stanley Bar & Cabaret' as resident Host/Compere and show producer.

Blackpool has been my base since 1998 and, despite tough economic times as the town and country still face, I am fortunate to perform regularly in and out of town as a full-time vocalist. Like many, I look forward to new opportunities in the New Year and, of course, entertaining the old friends who have been kind enough to support me through the rollercoaster ride that has been my journey as an entertainer since 1995 right up to the present day, I salute you all and thank you :o))