30 Facts About Simon Weston

Simon Weston was born on 8 August 1961 and is a Welsh veteran of the British Army who is known for his charity work and recovery from severe burn injuries suffered during the Falklands War.

Simon Weston was brought up by his mother, Pauline and adoptive father, "Lofty".

Simon Weston lived in Singapore and at RAF Hospital Nocton Hall in Lincolnshire before returning to Nelson at the age of around six or seven.

Simon Weston has one elder sister, Helen, and three stepbrothers.

At the age of 14, Simon Weston was given a police caution when he was caught as a passenger in a car stolen by his older friends.

Simon Weston joined the Welsh Guards in 1978 at the age of 16 at the insistence of his mother, after he "got into bother".

Simon Weston served in Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya before being deployed to the Falkland Islands.

Simon Weston endured years of reconstructive surgery, including over 96 major operations or surgical procedures.

Simon Weston suffered psychological trauma, drinking heavily and becoming suicidal, and admits his behaviour during this time was "terrible".

Simon Weston has made regular contributions to radio programmes and appeared on television, especially within Wales.

Simon Weston has been the subject of several BBC documentaries and presented his own radio show Face for the Radio for BBC Radio Wales.

Simon Weston has been interviewed on many occasions for television news programmes and documentaries recounting his experiences, including appearances on 14 June 2007, the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War ending.

Simon Weston has written best-selling autobiographies as well as a series of novels.

In 1986, Simon Weston undertook his first goodwill tour, to Australia, at the request of the Guards Association of Australasia.

Simon Weston became patron of a number of charities that support people living with disfigurements.

Simon Weston is the Lead Ambassador for medical research charity, The Scar Free Foundation, which funds research into scar free healing.

Simon Weston set up a national youth charity, Weston Spirit, in 1988 with Paul Oginsky and Ben Harrison, shortly after moving to Liverpool.

Simon Weston has campaigned in support of troops and veterans and against politicians' alleged failure to support them adequately.

Simon Weston has spoken out against defence budget cuts and British troops allegedly being supplied with inadequate equipment, and about the lack of support, health care and adequate compensation for veterans.

Simon Weston spoke to the ethical committee at London's Royal Free Hospital in 2006 to support the case for authorising full face transplants, even though he had previously been against the idea.

In 2008, Simon Weston criticised the then French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, for failing to attend a war ceremony.

Simon Weston said, "He should have got it right", "We in Wales have lost and sacrificed as much as anybody for different causes".

Simon Weston has always acted with a great deal of reverence for the occasion.

In February 2012 Simon Weston was caught up in an angry exchange with actor Sean Penn, who said it was improper for Prince William to be deployed to the Falklands.

In 2012, Simon Weston decided to stand for the post of elected Police and Crime Commissioner for the South Wales Police.

Simon Weston withdrew from the process, citing this controversy and the perceived politicisation of the post.

Simon Weston is married to Lucy, with whom he has three children: James, Stuart and Caitlin.

Simon Weston has met and become friends with First Lieutenant Carlos Cachon, the Argentine pilot who dropped the bomb which caused his injuries.

The medals Simon Weston received for his military service include the General Service Medal with "Northern Ireland" clasp and the South Atlantic Medal with rosette.

Simon Weston was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1992 Birthday Honours and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2016 New Year Honours for charitable services.