From the age of one, Kevin Whately lived at Humshaugh near Chollerford in Northumberland. At school he appeared in school plays and when he asked his teacher about acting he was told ' You'll never make a proper living', so he joined a Newcastle accountants. Eventually he moved to London where he attended a drama school, but needing money he spent early mornings busking at Oxford Street tube station and evenings taking tickets at The Old Vic Theatre. Later he moved to Perth in Scotland, where he spent a season in rep. In 1980 he met his wife when they were performing in a production of 'A Nightingale in Berkley Square'. He then moved into television. He is Vice President of the People's Theatre in Newcastle and has an Honorary Doctorate from Newcastle University.