After concluding his tenure in the Royal Air Force, he embarked on a journey to hone his theatrical skills at the esteemed Northern Theatre School, under the guidance of the illustrious Esme Church, between the years 1951 and 1952.
As his expertise in swordsmanship continued to flourish, he became a sought-after professional, arranging fights for various stage, film, and television productions. His remarkable skills ultimately led to his appointment as a founder member of the prestigious British Fight Arrangers.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, he was honored with a special citation as a performer by the American TV Radio Commercials Festival in 1969.
His illustrious career in television began in 1961, when he first portrayed the iconic character of Alf Roberts in the long-running British soap opera, Coronation Street.
In his personal life, he was married to the lovely Norma, with whom he shared a family of six children: three sons, Jonathan, Bernard, and Leonard, and three daughters, Jacqueline, Simone, and Helen.