Mark spent his school life at Heathland School in Hounslow with Gollum and Dave. They were all fresh faced in the early years and no more so than Mark who was chosen for the starring role as Bugsy Malone in the school production, probably more for his stature than his acting ability!

Most school days started in the Wellington Transport Café with a hearty breakfast and a discussion as to whether to carry on to school or spend the day running round Heathrow Airport watching planes land.

When they actually made it to school it was often very lively, with Mark taking on the craze of wearing your tie round your head with great zest – something that often got them into trouble. Talking of trouble, Mark was a great friend to have at school, being bigger and hairier than most teenagers he got them out of more scrapes than he actually got them into, contrary to his legendary status.

One such time was at his O Level physics exam when he and Gollum were refused entry for not wearing a school tie. He went home and after a brief explanation to Babs she drove them back to the school and had a few choice words with the year head. As a result, Mark and Gollum were allowed in and extra time was added on to the exam for them both to finish in.

Mark was a keen iceskater and most weekends were spent by the three of them at Richmond Ice Rink, with Mark tending to show off his drinking skills and attempt to teach them the skill of chatting up the girls rather than demonstrating his skating prowess.

Mark influenced their lives in many ways, it being no coincidence that they all developed a taste for rock music and electronics – something all 3 of them carried on after school when they became part of the road crew, building lighting rigs and developing highly dangerous pyrotechnics!

Mark always had a tendency to appear larger than life – and hairier and scarier – although underneath he was a great friend, sensitive, helpful and great fun. Their friendship began at school and lasted through to the present day. He will be greatly missed.