In The News

Comedy actor Paul Shane passes away

Comedy actor Paul Shane passes away

THE comedy actor Paul Shane, who starred in the TV sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, has passed away. He was 72.

Mr. Shane had been a successful stand-up comedian before becoming a comedy actor. He had originally worked as a miner but after an accident left him with a bad back he was forced to reassess his life and decided that since he had been able to make his work colleagues laugh, comedy was worth a go.

In the early 1970s, he began to be offered work on TV and it was while making a brief appearance in an episode of Coronation Street that he was spotted by Jimmy Perry, who co-wrote Hi-de-Hi! with David Croft. Mr. Perry immediately knew he had found the man to play the role of Ted Bovis in his new sitcom.

Hi-de-Hi!, which was set in a holiday camp in the 1960s, ran on the BBC from 1980 (see below) until 1988. The role of the comic Bovis was perfect for Mr. Shane who was to prove popular with the show’s many fans.

After the show ended, Mr. Shane went on to star in other sit-coms You Rang, M’Lord and Oh Doctor Beeching! He also made appearances in show such as A Touch of Frost, Emmerdale and Doctors.

The many tributes were led by his agent Linda Kremer, who said: “Paul was a consummate professional, a true gentleman, a good friend and a joy to work with. He didn’t suffer fools, always maintained his sense of humour and never stinted on the time he gave to his fans. He lightened my life and I will miss him enormously.”

Mr. Shane passed away at a hospice in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. He is survived by his three daughters and six grandchildren. His wife Dory passed away in 2001.

To view an excerpt from the first episode of Hi-de-Hi!, click here.

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