Mick was born, Michael Lawton, in Dingle, an area of Liverpool, on 25th February 1950. His father, Stanley, was the manager of a mobile Co-Op shop. His mother, Evelyn, worked in the local Co-Op store. He has an older sister, Marilyn.

From an early age, Mick loved kicking a football around the in the park. When he started at “Cardinal Newman” secondary school; he was in his element as the school had a football team. He made it his goal to be selected for the team. A goal the he soon reached. At the age of twelve, his father took him to Goodison Park to see his first professional match. He was hooked, and set himself another goal.

One day, he would play professionally. In the short term, he managed to gain a place as goalkeeper for the Liverpool Catholic Schoolboys team. He did well, but with typical scouse humour, his teammates nicknamed him “Dracula” because he was no good with crosses!

After seeing an advert in a soccer magazine, Mick and one of his friends, applied for a place at soccer trials for Port Vale Football Club. They were accepted for the trial and Mick was singled out from the others. At just 15 years of age, the legendary Stanley Mathews signed him to Port Vale. Mick was in his element and in 1966 he was called up for an England youth team trial, but lost out to a young lad called Peter Shilton.

So, at least he has no regrets about his trial. Eventually, Mick was released from his Port Vale contract and after playing for some other minor clubs; he decided it was time for a change of direction. After several jobs, and a spell in Israel, working on a Kibbutz, Mick’s cousin suggested that he might like to consider working as a sports host for Pontins. He took up the suggestion and in 1971, started work at the Camber Sands camp near Hastings.

He loved the job and eventually appeared in the Blue Coat Shows. As the season went on, Mick became interested in comedy. He took every opportunity to learn fro