The next phase of his life would be the pursuit of a musical career which ultimately led to him becoming the driving force behind the legendary rock group, Slade. His entertaining stage presence and rapport with the audience commanded attention wherever he went and kept the band afloat even through the the less successful periods....an indication that there was far more depth to this entertainer than the music. He had his first experience as an actor on the big screen when Slade were cast in the semi-biographical movie called Flame. But he loved the music and continued doing it until he decided it was time to stop and focus on new horizons.

After his departure from Slade, He assumed the role of a DJ on Piccadilly Radio in Manchester while exploring other options which led to numerous television guest appearances and taping of commercials. Another major turning point came when he was cast as a music teacher in a television movie called The Grimleys. He then hosted his own entertainment venue on Granada TV's Men & Motors channel called Noddy's Electric Ladyland, a perfect setting for him to display his ever-popular sense of humor, an attribute which may have been fine-tuned throughout his musical career. In giving advice to prospective musicians he once revealed..**"Keep at it only if you love it one-hundred percent...and keep a sense of humor because there will be plenty of heartaches along the way".