Benedict Sandiford was born on 16th August 1973 at Newark-on-Trent and was educated at Harrogate Grammar School. He made his television debut as a teen-ager in the series 'Children's Ward' but, although he has appeared in many small screen populist dramas, he will probably be best known as Neil, the lazy son of Gwen Taylor in the sitcom 'Barbara'. His stage performances include playing Gooper in the West Yorkshire Playhouse's production of Tennessee Williams' 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' and an unwilling neighbour to 'The Lady in the Van' in Hull Truck Company's version of the Alan Bennett play. Since the second decade of the twenty-first century he has been domiciled in Reading and heavily involved as a writer and performer with local theatrical groups' projects, including the plays ' Jacksons Corner', 'Kaspar.' and 'Amelia', all concerned with the town's history, and 'The Great British Bump-Off', described as Miss Marple Meets Mary Berry. He also wrote and performed the one man show 'The Final Whistle', detailing the history of Reading's football club, staged at their home ground at the Madejski Stadium.