Several teachers at school in Liverpool had a special influence on me. I went to Hayworth Street school, where there was an English and arts teacher called Mr Jackson - “Jacko”. He was quite severe, but if he went out of the room for a minute he’d turn to me to keep the class occupied. I was only 12 but he’d say: “Tommo, get up there and tell the class a story.” And I did. And it was like nothing; it was easy.

Then, at Venice Street, there was an English teacher called Mr Vurnette. He ran a theatre called the Birkenhead Bright Lights. He took us all down there once a year and I remember looking at the stage and thinking, “Wow! That’s great. I love that”. So from an early age acting was calling me.

I moved schools again when I passed the 13-plus, which was for those of us they thought should’ve passed the 11-plus but hadn’t. So I ended up going to Walton technical college, and I stayed there until I was 16.

Elwyn Jones was another English teacher who encouraged me to write. Unknown to him I was a closet writer. I was always the leader of the gang as a schoolboy, so I guess it was these teachers who harnessed my enthusiasm and stopped me going off the rails.

The biggest influence on my life, without a shadow of a doubt, was my mother, Peggy. At the age of 86 she’s still a great driving force and she’s brilliant. I was a working-class kid with three brothers living not far from the docks in Liverpool. I was a bit of a rough diamond, but she was a great steadying influence. She bought me my first banjo when I was 17, so I learned to entertain. I started doing the pubs and clubs and began to see myself as a performer, even though I got into the construction industry.

So I learned a lot at school and at home, and I was able to take this on and use it positively when I spent two years in prison for industrial action. (In 1972, Tomlinson was sentenced to two years for conspiracy after being involved in a demonstration that turned violent during the national building workers’ strike.) I was a pretty awful prisoner, wouldn’t wear clothes, went to the toilet on the floor, the lot. I was on hunger strike for 22 days.

I was in solitary confinement most of the time and had all the time in the world on my bloody hands. It was then that I discovered Radio 4, the classics, opera - stuff like that - and I started to write again by keeping a prison diary.

I’d been screaming inside to be a writer, but I never had time because I was always on building sites till eight in the evening and then going straight on to work in the social clubs. But in prison I suddenly had time to write poetry and read books, like The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. I also found that music could reduce me to tears.

The higher I have gone up the ladder, the more chance I’ve had to read beautiful books and hear beautiful music. I know working-class kids don’t have that chance, and it makes me angry and bitter. I never agreed with the 11-plus because children develop at different stages.

I’m probably learning more now at 62 than ever before. I would like to think there are still a few things I haven’t done that I will get round to doing in the short time I have left. I’m still dreaming.

Actor Ricky Tomlinson was talking to John Guy

THE STORY SO FAR

1939 Born in Blackpool. Grows up in Liverpool

1955 Leaves school to become a plasterer. Tours pubs as stand-up comedian

1972 A trade union activist in the building industry, he is one of the jailed ‘Shrewsbury Two’

1975 Released from jail, turns to banjo-playing in pubs and acting

1982 Lands first major TV role as Bobby Grant in Brookside, which he plays for five years. Followed by various series including Cracker, The Royle Family and Clocking Off

2001 Supports Arthur Scargill against Labour MP Peter Mandelson in general election. Takes title role in Mike Bassett: England Manager, now on general release