TENDERFOOT

Howard Jacks' journey through life was marked by daydreams inspired by films and TV series, bringing elements of fiction into reality. Growing up in Arnold, a working-class town near Nottingham, he and his friends reenacted exciting westerns and TV shows like Lassie and Robin Hood.

Embodying the spirit of Walter Mitty, Howard lived out his dreams in real-life scenarios, reminiscent of Tom Brown's School Days and the mischievous escapades of Just William. During a hot summer in 1959, he even attempted to replicate the Lassie TV series with a borrowed dog. Leaping through snowy woods like Hawkeye and William Tell, hitchhiking across the UK and Europe like The Fugitive, he sought thrilling experiences wherever he went.

After leaving his factory-bound Secondary Modern School, Howard instead pursued a six-year apprenticeship in advertising and printing, and wanderlust led him to travel to embrace new experiences. His next chapter took him to drama school, where he eventually obtained his Equity Card, opening doors to appearances on both stage and TV. But his adventurous spirit didn't stop there, as he then ventured into the realm of being an alternative 60s vinyl DJ, defying the digital trend with a vast collection. Along the way, Howard explored various paths, including a stint as a male stripper, all the while yearning for the background music that made fiction so enchanting.

Howard's life weaves a tale of dreams pursued and realities experienced, leading the reader through a rich and detailed account of a life lived through the decades from the 50s to the present day.