Paul Shane
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Paul Shane (born June 19 1940) is a British actor, best known for his part in the sitcom, Hi-De-Hi!.
He was born in Rotherham, his real name being George Frederick Speight. He 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 a double slipped disc. Paul was pensioned off from the pit at the age of 27, but he knew exactly what he wanted to do - make people laugh. Two years later, he made the decision to turn professional. He had already had 10 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 on St Ann's Road, Rotherham, now demolished. "Two pints of ale and 20 Park Drive a night". Paul's first club booking was at St Ann's Club in Rotherham, for thirty shillings (£1.50).
Paul's 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 marks the start of the Paul Shane act.
In 1990 he was reunited with the Hi-De-Hi! team for You Rang, M'Lord? and then later for Oh, Doctor Beeching!.
In 1996, Paul Shane sang an awful rendition of "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" live on the Pebble Mill show on BBC 1. It was voted one of the worst things ever to be shown on British Television.