Micky Dacks has lived the story he now tells. A playwright, screenwriter, director, actor, musician, and mentor, his journey from a troubled past to a leading force in Manchester’s creative industries is one of transformation, redemption, and the unwavering belief that art has the power to change lives.
As a teenager, Micky Dacks was written off. A child arsonist, in and out of prison, battling homelessness and addiction, his future seemed all but decided. The system had no plans for him beyond confinement. But inside a prison cell, a different path began. Writing became his escape. Stories, his way out. A prison writing workshop ignited something that punishment never could—a belief that his voice had value. What started as scribbled lines in a cell grew into Innit, a musical that premiered at The Lowry before playing to packed houses at The Arts Theatre in London’s West End. The show was raw, real, and unapologetically Salford—a story that wasn’t just about young people, but for them.
Theatre was just the beginning. Determined to prove that transformation is possible at any stage, Micky Dacks earned an MA in Playwriting and Screenwriting from Edinburgh Napier University—a remarkable feat for someone who had been excluded from school. His creative talents expanded beyond writing and directing, landing on-screen roles in television and film, including Coronation Street, where he portrayed Pete, an enforcer for drug dealer Denton, as well as an associate of Vinny Ashford in 2017 and a workman in 2020. His other credits include Wired, Nightmare in Suburbia, Doctors, Moving On, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, Needles and Pins, and Groovy. His lived experience brings an unfiltered authenticity to his work—whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in front of the camera.
Micky Dacks is not only a storyteller—he is a creator of opportunities. On the other side of the camera, he has written, directed, and produced, with projects such as Needles and Pins, alongside contributions to BBC News and Newsround. His ability to turn lived experience into compelling, socially relevant narratives has made him a sought-after voice in both journalism and entertainment.
As CEO of I4Y (Innit for Young People), Micky Dacks is ensuring that creativity becomes a pathway rather than a privilege. A gifted musician and performer, he has harnessed his skills to build a charity that uses theatre, music, and film to provide young people—especially those from inner-city backgrounds—the chance to develop, express, and redefine their futures. The young people he works with don’t need a lecture about avoiding crime—they need a vision for something better, something they can see and believe in. The stage, the mic, the camera—these are not just platforms for performance but for reinvention.
Impact does not go unnoticed. The system that once discarded him now holds up his work as proof of what is possible. BBC documentaries, national news features, and acclaimed theatre reviews have documented his story, but the real measure of success is in the young people who, because of him, now see a way forward. The workshops in youth centres, the performances in MediaCityUK, the spoken word showcased on big screens—all of it sends a message: you are not beyond hope, you are not beyond help, and you are not beyond change.
Manchester has always been a city of reinvention, and Micky Dacks embodies what that means. A multi-hyphenate creative force, he has moved between writing, directing, acting, producing, and mentoring—not just mastering these disciplines but using them to create opportunities for others. From addiction and prison cells to theatres, university halls, film sets, and newsrooms, he has turned his story into a lifeline for others—living proof that no beginning has to define the ending.
