Simon's first job was as a journalist on the 'Bridgwater Mercury'. He left the newspaper to go to drama school.

He began his acting career at Derby Playhouse in 1972 and it has included hundreds of roles in theatre, film, TV and radio. His TV debut was as a conman, Jim Potts, in 'Coronation Street', trying to sell a dodgy shower to Ena Sharples. (She wasn't fooled.