Hi-de-Hi! star Paul Shane dies, aged 72

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Hi-de-Hi! actor Paul Shane has died at the age of 72 following a short illness.

The star of the hit 1980s BBC sitcom was surrounded by friends and family in a hospice in his home town of Rotherham, south Yorkshire, when he died.

As well as Hi-di-Hi!, in which he played holiday camp host Ted Bovis, Paul, whose real name was George Speight, starred in the TV series You Rang M'Lord and Oh, Dr Beeching! He also appeared in Holby City, Doctors, Coronation Street and A Touch Of Frost.

Linda Kremer, the actor's agent for 15 years, said: "Paul Shane 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, never stinted on the time he gave to his fans.

"He lightened my life and I'll miss him enormously."

Shane was a coal miner before starting out as a cabaret act touring working men's clubs in the 1960s.

He is survived by three daughters and six grandchildren. His wife Dory died in 2001.

 

Patrick McLennan
Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.