William Snape was born 17 April 1985 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. He attended Dobcroft Junior School followed by Silverdale School.
On 29 January 1999, Snape was leaving school and was hit by a car as he crossed the road. His leg was so badly broken, he required two operations and eighteen steel pins. After his accident he was keen to pursue his acting career, and enrolled in a drama course in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, before starting a full-time course in October 2002. In December 2002 he won the role of farmer Stephen Butler in ITV's Emmerdale.
