An English writer, born in London, England. He attended St Aloysius Grammar School in Highgate, England, and he studied graphic design and then worked for an advertising agency. He also attended Hornsey College of Art in London and joined the small advertising agency of John Collings. His first novel, entitled The Rats was published in 1974, and sold one hundred thousand copies only two weeks after its publication, It was then turned into a movie. That novel was translated into a number of languages, and he was awarded an OBE by the Queen of Britain.