I was born in Chatham, Kent. I moved to Sheppey at approx 1 year old. Both are navy towns, and my grandfather was stationed here. My mother married a local man, Ted Bentley the bus driver. He had been married before, so I have a half brother Ron Bentley. I went to Alexandra Rd infants, Delemark Rd primary and Sheerness Tech. I left school around 1966 and went to college in London. Then joined the merchant marine as a radio officer. In 1971 I left the sea and joined the BBC as a trainee engineer. I worked there until 1989, then left to become a freelance engineer. I've worked all over, and now reside in San Jose, California.