Paul's early years were marked by a sense of wanderlust, as his father's profession as a chief technician in the Royal Air Force led to a nomadic lifestyle, with the family frequently returning to their roots in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, near Middlesbrough.
Paul's formative years were spent attending St. Mary's College in Middlesbrough, where he developed a strong foundation in the arts. Upon leaving school, he pursued a career as a clerk for a haulage contractor, with aspirations of becoming a singer and emulating the legendary Frank Sinatra.
However, a friend studying at the prestigious Guildhall School of Speech and Drama encouraged Paul to explore the world of acting. Armed with his knowledge of Shakespeare's 'King Lear', which he had studied at school, Paul applied to the Guildhall School, only to be initially rejected.
Undeterred, Paul took acting lessons from a Stockton-based teacher, honing his craft through various pieces. He then re-applied to the Guildhall School and was accepted. Paul's early acting credits included roles in the popular TV shows 'Coronation Street' and 'Crossroads', where he met and married actress Diane Keen, with whom he had a daughter, Melissa, a theatrical agent, in 1975.
Paul's subsequent career was marked by notable roles, including the title character in the TV series 'The Growing Pains of PC Penrose' and its follow-up series 'Rosie'. He is now married to actress Claire Neilson, with whom he has a stepdaughter, Peggy, a script editor.
One of Paul's most memorable roles was that of Master Stephen in Ben Johnson's 'Every Man In His Humour', a part that brought him immense joy. Paul has a total of three daughters, including Rosie.
