Lee was born in South Shields and has lived in Jarrow since birth. He has wanted to be an actor since he was 11 after appearing in his primary schools play, since then he has appeared in numerous school plays and plays with local drama groups. His Great grandfather was a member of the famous Jarrow March. He is the first member of his family to follow an acting career, his grandfather had a short music career in a local Skiffle band in the 1950s.