15/08/2006

Tallyho! Fresh from his equine exploits on the hit TV series Only Fools on Horses, actor Paul Nicholas is hoping for a clear round with the launch of his acting school in the resort.

The star of the hit sitcom ‘Just Good friends’, and more recently the popular amateur show jumper got the school off to a flying start with a much more sedate ride…the famous Steeplechase at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool.

The Paul Nicholas School of Acting in Blackpool is based in The Gallery, at the Globe Theatre, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool.

The School will give the opportunity for children aged between 4-18 to learn all the skills needed to act on both stage and screen. It’s recognised that there are thousands and thousands of talented children who don’t get a chance to shine because they live outside London. Paul has already opened his first school back in May at Thornton Cleveleys, and is hoping to open several others across the North West in the coming months.

It’s hoped the Blackpool school will uncover the next Orlando Bloom or Keira Knightley, and give hundreds of other budding actors the chance for fame and fortune.

Paul Nicholas said, “I’m thrilled we’re opening a school at Pleasure Beach -what a great venue, and I can’t think of a better place to have one in the resort. The facilities at The Gallery are second to none, and it’ll be a great place for kids to live out their acting dreams.

‘I’ve been assured the horses on The Steeplechase ride are much easier to handle than Funtime was, and I’m unlikely to end up on the seat of my pants this time!”

Paul was also joined at the photocall by some of the new students at the school and also by the School of Acting’s managing director Karen Roberts.

A spokeswoman for Pleasure Beach, Blackpool said, “Paul Nicholas is a tremendous actor and we are more than happy to offer him a leg up with his new School of Acting with the use of the Gallery. I’m sure the local residents of Blackpool will be racing to join!”

Paul, shot to fame as the loveable rogue Vincent Pinner in the hit BBC series ‘Just Good Friends.’ Since then he’s starred in numerous West End hits including Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, and Barnum, and has become one of the country’s most popular and well-liked actors.

A venture into pop singing in 1976 resulted in four top 10 hits, including the two million best seller ‘Heaven on the Seventh Floor’ in America. Paul continues to record and has received a further four gold albums. Next year Paul will be taking the hit musical 42nd Street on a national tour.

The Paul Nicholas School of Acting is based in Thornton Cleveleys. The cost of each acting lesson will only be £7.50. To download leaflet click here. For further information please call 01253 851144, or log onto www.pnsa.co.uk