Laurie Taylor began his broadcasting career as a regular contributor on Robert Robinson's Stop the Week. He was educated at St Mary's College, Liverpool, the Rose Bruford College of Drama in Kent, and Birkbeck College, University of London where he obtained his BA. He then went on to do an MA at Leicester University.

Laurie's career began with a stint as a librarian, after which he became a professional actor, then an English teacher before joining the Sociology Department of the University of York, where he went on to become Professor of Sociology. He is a consultant, writes for newspapers and magazines, contributes to television programmes and is an accomplished public speaker. He has one grown-up son and lives in London with his third wife who is a radio and television producer.