Page "Up Series" Paragraph 17

Tony Walker was chosen from a primary school in the East End of London who is introduced along with his girlfriend Michelle.

He wanted to be a jockey at 7, and was at a stable training as one by 14.

By 21 his chance had come and gone, after riding in three races before giving it up, and he was proud to have competed against Lester Piggott.

He then " did ' The Knowledge '" and made a comfortable life for himself and his family as a London taxi driver.

His later dream of becoming an actor has met with modest success ; he has had small parts as an extra ( almost always playing a cabbie ) in several TV programmes since 1986, including Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, The Bill, and twice in EastEnders, most recently in 2003.

His wife Debbie was carrying their third child in 28 Up and she reveals in 35 Up that she lost that baby but has since had another ; she admits that losing their third child placed a tremendous stress on their relationship.

Also in 35 Up Tony admitted that being in a monogamous relationship was becoming a strain, and by 42 Up he had actually committed adultery, though he and his wife have got past it and are still together.

By 42 Up, he had moved to Essex and by 49 Up, owned two homes, including a holiday home in Spain.