" 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 15 year long career in professional entertainment!

If I'm really honest, it wasn't the most thrilling 2 years of school life, aside of playing 'Wild Bill Hickok' in the school production of 'Calamity Jane', I have little recollection of the course or fellow students and only a vague memory of Mr Jewkes the drama teacher and Miss Birchall, the music teacher.

In fairness, it did get me into the right circles for the progression that would send me into the business we call 'show'. Aged just 17, I packed up my Ford Fiesta and flew the family nest in search of stardom, I use the term loosely, but it certainly 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, so, 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.

Be it a slowly digressing 'family' resort, Blackpool has been my home now for 12 years and I still enjoy the 'tacky' seaside charm it offers and with many friendships formed over the years, I still think it is the North's real hub of live entertainment and hope to continue being a part of it for as long as it will have me.......or til them 6 numbers come up on the lottery!!