Rafe Blackthorne is a man of mystery, mischief, and immaculate tailoring. With the air of an aristocrat and the wardrobe of a dandy, one might assume he was born into wealth, perhaps raised on a grand estate with servants at his beck and call. The truth, however, is far more… colourful.

Rafe’s early years were spent in Glasgow, the son of a notorious but somewhat overambitious gangster. His father, the self-styled leader of the “Mackenzie Murder Mob” (a gang consisting of exactly two members—himself and Rafe’s mother), found himself in hot water with both the police and rival criminals. In the mid 1960s, a hasty exit from Scotland was required. The family fled south, changed their name, and Rafe and his sister were promptly deposited in a posh English school, where their father insisted they acquire refined accents and impeccable manners—presumably so they might one day run a more respectable crime syndicate.

Rafe, however, had other plans. He fell in love with acting, discovering that while he had no particular knack for crime, he could at least pretend to be good at it on stage. School plays became his passion, and he dreamt of a glittering career in the theatre. His father, naturally, was horrified. But Rafe was undeterred.

Fast-forward several decades, and Rafe Blackthorne has embraced his true calling: as a professional failed actor. He has auditioned for countless roles, graced many a casting director’s “maybe” pile, and even spent five years as a drama teacher (a role he played with some conviction before deciding he preferred a more unpredictable existence).

When not dodging theatrical success, Rafe indulges his other great talents—writing, storytelling, and an undeniable flair for charming the ladies. His podcast, Rafe Blackthorne's Escapades, Anecdotes and Adventures, (Spotify) showcases his knack for spinning a yarn, often featuring tales that sail just close enough to the wind to be entertaining but never quite scandalous enough to warrant legal intervention.

A likeable rogue, a raconteur of the highest order, and a man who never lets the truth get in the way of a good story, Rafe Blackthorne is living proof that while crime might not pay, a well-cut suit and a devil-may-care attitude certainly do.

Click on podcast link below for a few of  Rafe's totally, verifiably true tales.