Born in Doncaster, he was educated at the Old Swinford Hospital school, Stourbridge, and the University of Huddersfield (until 1992 the Huddersfield Polytechnic) where he was awarded a 2:1 BA Hons degree in History and Political Studies in 1993.
Born in Doncaster, he was educated at the Old Swinford Hospital school, Stourbridge, and at Huddersfield Polytechnic (which was restyled Huddersfield University in his third year). He was awarded a 2:1 BA Hons degree in History and Political Studies in 1993.