His supporting roles in Doctor Who (1963) gained him a minor cult status, including invitations to interviews and conventions related to the series.
He grew up in Bolton and attended Manchester's Chetham's School before completing National Service. He later attended the prestigious Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol.
He claimed on the DVD commentary for the serial Colony in Space: Episode One (1971) that because of the system that used to exist in British television, where directors cast actors they liked and casting directors were not involved, he had worked for 35 years in television without ever needing to attend an interview.
Prior to acting, he worked as a reporter for the Bolton Evening News and the Manchester Guardian.
In 1998, he was nominated for a RITA (Real Irish Theatre Award) for his portrayal of Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.