Notable for his Guardian Fiction Prize-winning novel Poor Lazarus and for his Whitbred Prize-winning work Silver City, he is also known for his writing work for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio 4.
After studying at Methodist College Belfast and Stranmillis University College, he began a primary school teaching career and simultaneously started publishing short pieces in the Belfast Telegraph and writing children's stories for a Northern Irish radio program. He published his debut novel, The Liberty Lad, in 1965.
In late 1998, he received the prestigious MBE honor for his contributions to British literature.
The son of Jean Coid Leitch and Andrew Leitch, he spent his youth in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
His 1989 BBC television play, Chinese Whispers, starred Annette Badland.
