Hugh Paddick


Hugh William Paddick was an English actor. He starred in the 1960s BBC radio show Round the Horne, performing in sketches such as "Charles and Fiona" and "Julian and Sandy". He and Kenneth Williams were largely responsible for introducing the underground language Polari to the British public.
Paddick also enjoyed success as Percival Browne in the original West End production of The Boy Friend, in 1954.

Biography

Born in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, Paddick preferred theatre to any other form of acting and spent most of his life on the stage, from his first role at acting school in 1937 until his retirement. He appeared in the original Drury Lane production of My Fair Lady as Colonel Pickering. He was an accomplished musician – singer, pianist and organist. He can be heard at the piano accompanying Julian and Sandy in several of their sketches on both Round the Horne and The Bona World of Julian and Sandy.
In his diaries, Kenneth Williams, so often scathing of his colleagues, spoke warmly of Paddick's kindness as a man, and of his "subtlety and brilliance" as a performer.
Paddick was gay and lived for over thirty years with his partner Francis, whom he met at a party in London. Paddick was very guarded about his privacy. He and his partner were keen gardeners at their home in Bedfordshire.
He was distantly related to Brian Paddick, now Lord Paddick, Britain's first openly gay police commander.
Paddick died in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on 9 November 2000, aged 85.

In popular culture

In the 2006 BBC television film Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!, about the life of Williams, Paddick was portrayed by Guy Henry.

Films

School for Scoundrels – InstructorWe Shall See – ConnellSan Ferry Ann – French Commercial TravellerThe Killing of Sister George – FreddieUp Pompeii – PriestUp the Chastity Belt – Robin HoodThat's Your Funeral – Window Dresser

Television

Here and Now The Two Charleys – Lionel StoneThe Larkins – Osbert Rigby-SoamesThe Strange World of Gurney Slade – FairyWinning Widows Worm's Eye View see IMDB reference belowBenny Hill Frankie Howerd Pure Gingold The Wednesday Play episode: The End of Arthur's Marriage – House AgentBefore the Fringe Beryl Reid Says Good Evening – Various RolesComedy Playhouse – Bernard Hooper / Sidney JelliotThe Jimmy Tarbuck Show Wink to Me Only – Sydney JelliotHere Come the Double Deckers episode: Summer Camp – GeraldFather, Dear Father episode: Housie – Housie, episode: Flat Spin – Mr. Nash / FanshaweThe Marty Feldman Comedy Machine – Various CharactersThe Benny Hill Show series 4, episode 1 Pardon My Genie – The GenieTell Tarby PG Tips advertisement Sykes episode: Television Film – Nigel LambshankThe Basil Brush Show Can We Get On Now, Please? – Charles PettigrewThe Morecambe and Wise Show – Adrian Fondle / Robin CaressRushton's Illustrated The Jim Davidson Show Babble Jemima Shore Investigates episode: The Crime of the Dancing Duchess – Tony JerroldBlackadder series 3 episode 4: Sense and Senility – David Keanrick, thespianAlas Smith and Jones episode 4.5 And There's More episode 4.1 – Various CharactersBoon episode: Never Say Trevor Again – Don PettiferCampion – 'Beaut' SiegfriedJackson Pace: The Great Years – Lord Taggon

Theatre

Noah Embassy School of ActingThere's Always Tomorrow New Wimbledon TheatreThe Thunderbolt Liverpool PlayhouseThe Two Bouquets St Martin's TheatreThe Boy Friend Embassy Theatre, Wyndham's TheatreThe Impresario From Smyrna Arts TheatreFor Amusement Only Apollo TheatreShe Smiled at Me Connaught TheatreFor Adults Only various theatresMy Fair Lady Theatre Royal, Drury LaneSee You Inside Duchess TheatreLet's Get A Divorce! Mermaid TheatreThe Madwoman of Chaillot Oxford PlayhouseThey Don't Grow on Trees Prince of Wales TheatreAntony and Cleopatra Chichester Festival TheatreWhen We Are Married Strand TheatreCinderella Casino TheatrePlay by Play The King's Head Theatre, IslingtonBeauty and the Beast Oxford PlayhouseSome of My Best Friends are Husbands Mermaid Theatre, Watford PalaceOut on a Limb Vaudeville TheatreVolpone Royal National TheatreHalf Life Duke of York's TheatreGigi Haymarket Theatre (Leicester)Soldier's Fortune Lyric HammersmithVenice Preserv'd Lyttelton TheatreWild Honey Lyttelton TheatreNoises Off Savoy Theatre

Radio

Beyond Our Ken Gert and Daisy The Men from the Ministry Round the Horne Stop Messing About Share and Share Alike A Chaste Maid in Cheapside Just Before Midnight The 27-Year Itch
  • ''I Love The 27-Year Itch''