Clive Mantle was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire. He was a chorister in St. John's choir, Cambridge for four years, and a member of the National Youth Theatre for five years, appearing in a total of eleven productions. He trained at R.A.D.A. and has worked steadily in films, plays and television. He is best known for playing Little John in Robin Of Sherwood and Mike Barratt in Casualty and Holby City.