ANVIL SPRINGSTEIN

Born in Liverpool, Anvil left school with no educational qualifications whatsoever - and seeing a future of limited job prospects, promptly ran away to sea. After seven years before the mast, surviving hurricanes, typhoons, tempests, tornadoes... and the odd sunny afternoon, Anvil washed ashore off the coast of Portugal and spent the next two years living in a tent whilst travelling around Europe: ''No rent, no council tax, no bills... fantastic... oh yeah... and very wet''.

Bored with culture and damp clothing, Anvil returned to jolly old England and ''blagged'' the first of two further education grants: ''I loved being a student...'' says Anvil, ''...saved so much money on soap!'' Does he have any 'tips' for future University students leaving home for the first time? ''Yeah... get yer mam to buy you one of these 'indicator toothbrushes' and throw it in the bath. After a few months, when the colour runs out, it's time to clean the bath!''

Following his degree, Anvil fell into various ''dead end jobs; Barman, Social Worker, Journalist, Teacher etc'.'' It was at this low ebb in his life that Anvil, out walking, decided to toss a coin: ''Stay in teaching? Or follow a career in stand-up comedy and writing?''