Tudor-Pole was born on 6 December 1954 in
Lambeth, London, to David W. and Shirley C. (née Brown) Tudor-Pole. The family's name derives from that of
John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (great-grandson of
Geoffrey Chaucer), via Tudor-Pole's grandfather, spiritualist
Wellesley Tudor Pole. Wellesley's mother was a descendant of Welsh courtier
Owen Tudor, and added the 'Tudor' to her son's name. Tudor-Pole was educated at Pennthorpe School,
Rudgwick, Sussex and
King Edward's School in
Witley,
Surrey. He later attended the
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He lives in London and has one son. He was a keen motorcyclist for many years; his riding skills can be seen in the 1997 film
Tunnel of Love, in which he played the lead role of Dodge. ==Musical career==