Cullimore studied maths at the University of Hull, graduating in 1984.

He answered a local newspaper advert in 1983 placed by Paul Heaton that said Trombonist seeks street musicians around the city. After leaving the band, he ran a whole food shop for about five years.

Since then he has gone on to become an author of children's books and television scripts, including the English language version of S4C show The Baaas. He also composes music and songs for children's television, including for Nickelodeon.

He married Amelia in May 1988 in Hull and has two daughters and two sons, one of whom is called Robin.

In 2009 he co-wrote and appeared in a preschool music series called The Bopps for Nick Jr Uk which will air in April 2010.

He also wrote a series of books whose main character is a hippo, named 'Henrietta.' He also wrote episodes of 'yoho ahoy,' a popular children's programme aired in 2000 and 2001. It consisted of 39 episodes, of which 20 were in series 1, and 19 in series 2.