You know, it was always a long shot. I grew up poor. So I was disappointed but there is no way my parents could afford to pay for a couple of weeks' accommodation for me in Guildford (and I obviously didn't have the money). In my heart of hearts, I knew that all along. Really I think I just wanted to see if it could possibly work. As you say: pretty cool to have made it halfway.

It's also worth pointing out that whilst they didn't let me do that - and disagreements between stroppy teenagers and their parents are hardly unique - they did help me in a lot of other ways, and made plenty of sacrifices for my benefit, for which I will always be grateful.

Great story nonetheless, as a parent this is the kind of imagination that it's hard to come up with as a parent.

I do understand that your parents acted the way they did. As someone who grew up with games, I would have gone the extra mile to support the venture.

But am happy to hear that things worked out after all.

Thanks and you're right, particularly in 1991: games were still fairly niche back then, certainly in the UK, and absolutely not on the radar as a career choice for the vast majority of people.