John's journey in the world of theatre began after leaving drama school in Birmingham in 1970. For the next decade, he worked in repertory theatres across England, taking on dozens of roles in various productions. His career took him to notable companies such as the Derby Playhouse, Lyceum Theatre in Crewe, Swan Theatre in Worcester, and the EMMA Theatre Company in Loughborough.
During his time with EMMA, John had the opportunity to perform in a wide range of settings, from village halls and pubs to schools and prisons. He also worked in weekly rep, playing murderers in a string of thrillers during the summer of 1973.
In 1977, John joined Sir Alan Ayckbourn's company in Scarborough, where he stayed for three years before returning in 1981 and 1982. During this period, he played central roles in nine new Ayckbourn plays, as well as major roles in other productions, including John Procter in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.
Ayckbourn roles included Roland Crabbe in Taking Steps, Len Coker in Sisterly Feelings, and Richard in Joking Apart. He continued to work with Ayckbourn in other theatres, including The Palace in Watford, Greenwich Theatre, and The Theatre Royal in Windsor.
John's West End credits include appearances in Michael Frayne's Look Look, Sir Peter Hall's revival of Piaf, and Alan Ayckbourn's Communicating Doors. He has also had two seasons at the Royal National Theatre, where he played roles such as 'Enery in Tons of Money and Desmond in A Small Family Business.
In addition to his work in the theatre, John has made numerous television appearances over the last 30 years. He is perhaps best known for his roles in situation comedies, including John in Fresh Fields, Constable Dunstable in Pilgrims Rest, and Phil in Barbara.
John has also appeared in several films, including Thunderpants and The Abduction Club. He has worked with Mark Gatiss on several occasions, most notably as Bill Wilson in the BBC 4 film of The Worst Journey in the World and as Coil in The Crooked House.
From 2017 to the present, John has played the role of Bishop Barry in the popular television series Emmerdale. In recent years, he has continued to work in the theatre, most notably with the Royal Shakespeare Company in productions such as Love's Labours Lost and Much Ado about Nothing.
In 2021, John won two awards for his work in film, taking home the Best Male Film Actor award at the fisheye Film Festival and the Best Actor award at the 2021 Dreamers of Dreams Film Festival for his role as Arthur in the short Sci-Fi film Fearfully Made.
