Born Bernard Stanley Bilk, 28 January 1929 in Pensford, Somerset, England. Nicknamed "Acker" - which means "friend" in Somerset dialect - from an early age. Learnt to play the clarinet in 1948 while on military service in Egypt - the story goes that Acker was imprisoned for three months for falling asleep on guard duty and learnt while in jail, having plenty of time to practice! First job was at the WD & HO Wills' tobacco factory in Bristol.

Married to Jean with a son (Peter) and daughter (Jenny). His biggest hit Stranger On The Shore was originally written for Jenny and named after her, but the title was changed when the BBC wanted to use it as the TV show's theme.

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