Viner was born to an unmarried mother at the now demolished Royal Northern Hospital, London, and was adopted by a couple in Southport, Merseyside when a few weeks old.
[citation needed] He was educated at King George V School, Southport, then at the University of St Andrews.
In October 2013, Viner became film critic of the Daily Mail, succeeding Christopher Tookey.
Viner's most recently published book, "Looking For The Toffees", is an account of his teen years following Everton FC, in which he goes in search of his childhood heroes.
Of his earlier books, Tales of the Country and its sequel The Pheasants' Revolt recount the story of his, and his family's, move from London to Herefordshire.