John jumped at the chance to share his experiences with the youngsters, who are aged from 15 to 19, and attended the session as part of the YOT's ten week robbery and burglary programme.

John has an impressive portfolio, from celebrities including Michael Jackson to advertisements for major brands such as Guinness. He counts all the major television stations as his clients.

However, he came from humble backgrounds, having been brought up on council estates outside Glasgow.

He told the young people about how, at the age of ten, he was taught by his alcoholic mother to shoplift and that his home was without electricity as the money was used to fuel his mother's drinking. He told them that this was not productive towards learning and he was bullied at school.

At the age of 16, John realised he had to take charge of his life and by the age of 21, he had his own company employing 15 people.

Executive member for children and young people, Councillor Quintin Peppiatt, said: "John Wright is a truly remarkable person and we are extremely honoured that he volunteered his time to be with our young people.

"Finding such inspirational role models who can make a difference to teenagers is no easy task. John connected so well with them, particularly as many of them could identify with what he had experienced when he was younger."

After the session, the young people gave the following feedback:

"I thought the way John challenged me made me think about what I can
achieve." "John told me that I am the only one who puts limits on my ambitions."

"He made us all think about what it is we want to do with our lives."
"I would not have believed that John came from the same background as I did."