Paul Shane

Paul Shane (19 June 1940 – 16 May 2013) was an English comedian and actor, best known for his part in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi! and other television roles.

Early life and career 

Shane was born as George Frederick Speight in Thrybergh, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire. He originally worked as a miner, but had an accident at Silverwood Colliery in 1967 by slipping in the pit-head baths on some soap, resulting in double herniated discs, and he was pensioned off from the pit at the age of 27. Two years later, he made the decision to become a professional entertainer since he already had ten years' experience as a part-time entertainer around the pubs and clubs in South Yorkshire.

His first appearance, as a straight singer, was at the Grafton pub (now demolished) on St. Ann's Road, Rotherham. His first club booking was at St. Ann's Club in Rotherham, for thirty shillings (£1.50). His transformation from singer to comedian was a gradual one, starting with his rendition of Green Green Grass of Home, straight at first, but ultimately a hilarious send-up of Tom Jones, which marked the start of the Paul Shane act.

Hi-de-Hi

Small parts and guest appearances in television series began to materialise throughout the 1970s, and, in May 1979, comedy writer Jimmy Perry spotted Shane playing Frank Roper in a 1979 episode of Coronation Street, and offered him the part of Ted Bovis in his new holiday-camp sitcom Hi-de-Hi!. The series ran from 1980 through until 1988, when Perry and co-writer David Croft penned the pilot episode of You Rang, M'Lord?, and invited Shane to play Alf Stokes. The show ran until 1993. In 1991, Shane was given his own series, Very Big, Very Soon, but it failed to achieve anything like the popularity of his other comedy roles, and ended after one series.

Later career 

Between 1995 and 1997, he played Jack Skinner in two series of Oh, Doctor Beeching!. Subsequently, he appeared most frequently in theatre, but also enjoyed recurring roles in television series Holby City and Emmerdale.

Shane's "cringe-inducing" performance of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" on Pebble Mill at One in 1996 was voted the 72nd Funniest Moment on British Television in a poll on Channel 4 in 2004.

Shane also appeared in variety theatre in popular tourist venues such as Blackpool in 2006, and in pantomime in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2008. In 2008, he also guest-starred in an episode of the ITV drama series A Touch of Frost, playing the role of boatsman "Diesel Bob".

Personal life

Shane was married to Dory, who died in 2001. They had three daughters.

Health 

In May 2009, he entered hospital at Sheffield Northern General Hospital to undergo a life-saving heart operation, and made a full recovery.

Death

Shane died at a hospice in Rotherham on 16 May 2013 after a period of ill health, aged 72. His three daughters and six grandchildren survive him.

Television roles

Comedy 

1979 to 1980 Turtle's Progress Mashcan

1980 to 1988 Hi-de-Hi! Ted Bovis

1988 to 1993 You Rang, M'Lord? Alf Stokes

1991 Very Big Very Soon Harry James

1995 to 1997 Oh, Doctor Beeching! Jack Skinner

1996 Two Minutes Ernie

Drama

1994 X-Files Sarlo

2004 Emmerdale Solomon Dingle

2008 A Touch of Frost Diesel Bob

Film roles

• 1996: La Passione – Papa
• 2002: Heartlands – Zippy