He left Buckler's Mead Comprehensive School at 15, being only interested in playing cricket for Somerset, although he also had an offer to play football with Crystal Palace F.C.

He is married to Kathy, with whom he has three children; two daughters, Becky and Sarah who works for Sky as a production assistant, and a son Liam who was a professional cricketer and rugby player, before becoming a commentator for Sky Sports.

From an early age he was always single-minded. When informed that Ian wanted to be a sportsman, the careers master at his school said to him 'Fine, everyone wants to play sport, but what are you really going to do?'.