Bye-de-Bye!

[Sean]

Hi-de-Hi! actor Paul Shane dies

Paul Shane, the actor famous for starring in the 1980s BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, has died, his agent has confirmed.

His agent said the 72-year-old died surrounded by close family at a hospice in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, earlier on Thursday after a short illness.

He leaves behind his three daughters and six grandchildren. His wife died in 2001.

Shane made his name playing entertainer Ted Bovis in Hi-de-Hi!, a long-running TV series set in a holiday camp.

He later appeared in You Rang, M'Lord, alongside some of the former Hi-de-Hi! cast members.

Fans have been paying tribute on Twitter. Among them was comedian and actor Ricky Gervais who called him an "old school Britcom hero" and former EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson, who wrote "RIP Comedy Legend".

Shane, born in Rotherham in 1940, began his working life as a miner but turned to the entertainment industry following an accident.

In his early career, he sang and entertained in pubs and clubs across South Yorkshire until he was offered TV work in the early 1970s.

His big break came with the BBC hit Hi-de-Hi! in 1980, written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

The series, which ran until 1988, won large audiences and a Bafta for Best Comedy Series in 1984.

Linda Kramer, his agent for 15 years, said Paul had loved playing the character of Ted Bovis.

She added that he was paid the "ultimate tribute" of being the subject of This is Your Life, a biographical TV show.

Shane also worked on 1990s BBC sitcom Oh Doctor Beeching!, as well as Emmerdale, Common as Muck, A Touch of Frost, Doctors and Holby City.

Story

[Gob]

Never a big fan of that show, but RIP Mr Shane.

[rubato]

I thought "this is your life" was off the air after the mid- '60s.

yrs,
rubato