Alan was born in Watford and went to university in Bangor, North Wales, where he studied English and Drama. He started working life in a travelling theatre company, visiting schools all over the country & writing much of their material.

Alan later trained as a drama teacher at Nottingham University , but most of his work in connection with the theatre has been as a writer or director. Other jobs have included working as an editor and working in a day centre. He has written stories and dramas for the BBC.

David Roberts is the author-illustrator of the Dirty Bertie books and the illustrator of many books for children, including the Kate Greenaway-shortlisted The Dunderheads, written by Paul Fleischman, the bestselling Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist, both written by Andrea Beaty and Julian Clary's The Bolds series. Born in Liverpool, he now lives in London.