On leaving school in London, where he was born, John completed a five-year signwriting apprenticeship with a local company and just eighteen months later started his own sign business, which is now run by the youngest of his four sons.

He was always a keen listener to radio plays and short stories, and one day decided he would rather be writing the stories than listening to them. Spare time was scarce so he stuck to short stories at first, of which he wrote many, until as more time became available he was able to add full length novels to his repertoire.

Apart from family time and writing, John enjoys: music, radio and TV drama, swimming, walking, socialising and using his imagination. He has also lived with a life-long love of the cinema, and has a large collection of films. "I never tire of watching old classics," he says.

John describes himself as a creative optimist who loves telling stories. He says: "My optimism helps me deal with most of life's challenges and my sense of humour takes care of the rest."