Michael Lloyd Jones was born in Llan Ffestiniog, Merionethshire, second of four children to Huw Morris Jones (Huw Môr) and Daphne Eva Jones (neé Harrison). His mother came to live in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area during the Second World War with her parents, Mr and Mrs Barnett Harrison. His childhood was not easy because his mother spent periods in a mental hospital. The family grew up in Bryn Llywelyn's children's home. He attended Llan Ffestiniog Primary School (now Ysgol Bro Cynfal) and Ysgo
