His parents, Peter[1] and Carole and two older siblings had emigrated from the north-eastern coast of England in 1966 to Launceston, Tasmania, Australia where his father taught high school agriculture and science.

He later wrote about tough personal times that followed, claiming that his education standards slipped after his mother left the family and that sport became the "only thing [he] could focus on properly".

"[4] When aged 11, Slater was selected in the New South Wales Primary School Sports Association cricket and hockey teams.

He was generally unsuccessful in One-Day International games, averaging a lowly 24.07 and, after a string of failures, was eventually dropped from the national limited-overs side for good in 1997.

However, as the series went on, Slater’s form started to decline dramatically, ultimately leading to Justin Langer replacing him as opening batter.

[12][13] Since his retirement from cricket and the end of his media work, Slater has faced many legal issues, including multiple arrests and charges.

On 20 October, 2021, Slater was arrested on charges of domestic violence, stalking and using a carrier service to harass, relating to his ex-wife.

[14] On 15 December, 2021, New South Wales Police arrested Slater for allegedly breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO).

[15] On 27 April, 2022, Slater came under a fresh police investigation over an alleged domestic violence incident, just hours before he had similar charges dismissed on mental health grounds.

New South Wales Police applied for an interim apprehended violence order to protect the woman he was with at the time of his arrest.

[20] On 9 November, 2022, Slater was convicted of domestic violence charges, using a carriage service to harass, stalking or intimidating and common assault at Manly Local Court.

[23] On 14 April, 2024, Slater was arrested and charged 19 times, the alleged charges including domestic violence offences of unlawful stalking or intimidation, breaking into a dwelling with intent at night, common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, choking or suffocation, and breaching bail.

He was subsequently denied bail to appear again in late May [24] After commentating for Channel 4 in the United Kingdom during the 2005 Ashes series, Slater joined Nine's Wide World of Sports cricket commentary team in January 2006.

In 2009, he also hosted Australia's Greatest Athlete (alongside Andrew Voss), which aired on Saturday afternoons in January and February.