Reid grew up in
Paisley in
Renfrewshire. He began acting at age six at the
PACE Theatre Company. He played football on the same Saturdays as acting, until he failed a trial for local team
St Mirren as a teenager; he then committed himself to acting, considering it a more likely career opportunity. Reid attended
Paisley Grammar School and the
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and began acting in Scottish theatre. He relocated to
London to advance his career, but experienced financial problems. He struck a deal with his parents to finance him for six months, during which he got his first role in a
Hewlett-Packard advertisement and was then able to pay his rent and reimburse his parents. ==Career==