Wild was born into a working-class family in Royton, Lancashire, and moved south with his parents when he was still an infant. He was discovered whilst playing football, by June, mother of Genesis member Phil Collins. He was asked if he wanted a job, and told her he already had one, that he worked for the milkman. He was educated at the independentBarbara Speake Stage School in Acton , London, and had to supplement his parents' modest incomes by working on a stage production of Oliver!, in order to pay his school fees.