Armed with a degree in 'Creative Photography', Neil began to earn his living with a succession of jobs: photographer's assistant, mini-cab driver, market stall holder, auctioneer's leg-man, builder, oyster-dredger, and office worker. He began writing screenplays (intermittently at first) in 1979. His first real success came in 1987, with a commission for Film Four. He now writes full-time.