John attended college for a year gaining a diploma in Theatre Studies.
Then he joined the Liverpool Young Actors Co-operative where he was
fortunate to be seen by film director Gordon Flemyng and offered a part
in Yorkshire Television's mini-series
One Summer (1983)The following year he auditioned for the BBC production of
The Tripods (1984) and
from 400 other applicants was successfully cast in the principal role
of Will Parker. After the second series the show was
cancelled.