 The son of John Simpson and Freda Simpson (née Mort), he was educated at Golborne Primary School and Golborne Comprehensive School (Wigan Education Authority), before going onto West Midlands College to train as a physical education teacher.He is married to Linda (née Gwynn) and has three children and one granddaughter.He is passionate about heritage railway, military and transportation history and all sports, especially football, cricket and rugby league (he is a keen fan of Wigan Warriors).