Paul Hendy
Script-writer, novelist, director, producer and filmmaker From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Clifford Hendy (born 22 July 1966) is a British script-writer, novelist, director, producer and filmmaker.[1][2][3][4][5] In his early career, he was a TV presenter hosting the BAFTA nominated Dear Mr Barker (BBC),[6] Don’t Try This at Home (ITV),[7] The Disney Club (ITV),[8] and the final series of Wheel of Fortune (ITV).[9] He was a regular reporter on ITV’s This Morning and hosted Stash the Cash.[10]
Paul Hendy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 July 1966 Dawley, Shropshire, England |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
| Television | The Disney Club (1989–1994) Parallel 9 (1994) Don’t Try This at Home (1998–2001) Wheel of Fortune (2001) |
Early career
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Hendy was born in Dawley on 22 July 1966.[11] Hendy's career started as a member of The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, playing the part of Billy Casper in Kes in 1980. His first break into television came when he hosted ITV's Sunday morning flagship show The Disney Club.[12] After leaving The Disney Club, Hendy went to the BBC and hosted the Saturday morning show Parallel 9 which was broadcast live from Pinewood Studios. He has also presented Disney Summer Holidays (ITV), For Amusement Only (BBC), Highly Sprung (BBC), Travel Bug (an Action Time Production for BBC) and three series of the BAFTA-nominated Dear Mr Barker (BBC).[13]
In 2001, he took over from John Leslie as host of ITV1's game show Wheel of Fortune with Terri Seymour[14] and ITV1's prime time Saturday night show Don't Try This at Home with Davina McCall, which ran for four series (1998–2001). He hosted the un-aired pilot of the UK version of the game show The Chair (BBC1), which was eventually hosted by No. 1 tennis player John McEnroe in 2002.
Hendy was a regular reporter for ITV's This Morning and a guest presenter on GMTV. He hosted Talking TV (BBC1), Walk Over History (Meridian) and The Dog Listener (Channel 5). He has also hosted Kicked Into Touch (Meridian) and Stash (ITV). He also hosted a cinema review show called The Box Office Boys (BFBS),[15] and featured on an episode of Surprising Stars[16] with Kate Thornton.
Film
In 2016, Hendy wrote, directed and produced the short film, The Last Laugh. The film won Best UK Film and Best UK Short at the Manchester Film Festival as well as many other International film awards including Best Comedy Drama at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and Best Supporting Actor at Sydney Independent Film Festival.[17]
In 2018, Hendy and his production company Evolution, optioned the film rights to Tim Whitnall’s Olivier award-winning play,[18] Morecambe. The adaptation entitled Bring Me Sunshine is due to begin principal photography in 2022.[19][20][21][22]
In 2023, Hendy directed and produced the short film, The Choice. The film was written by Tim Whitnall, starring Rita Simons and Alexander Macqueen. The film has won seven awards, including: "Best Horror" at Ignite Film Festival; "Best Director" at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards; "Award of Excellence: Film Short" and "Award of Excellence: Leading Actress" at Accolade Global Film Competition; "Best of Show", "Best Direction", and "Best Leading Man" at Best Shorts Festival. It also received an honourable mention at Brighton Rocks International Film Festival.
The Last Laugh (Stage Play)
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In 2024, Hendy adapted his short film into a stage play. Like the original film, the production imagines a meeting between three legendary British comedians—Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse—as they share a dressing room, reflecting on their careers, personal lives, and what it means to be funny.
The play premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024, where it received critical acclaim.[23] Following its success, it transferred to London’s Noël Coward Theatre in the West End in February 2025,[24] with the original Edinburgh cast reprising their roles: Bob Golding as Eric Morecambe, Damian Williams as Tommy Cooper, and Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse.
After its London run, The Last Laugh is set to transfer to New York City in April 2025, opening at 59E59 Theaters.[25] A UK tour will follow from June to August 2025,[26] with performances in cities including York, Richmond, Newcastle, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Guildford, Cardiff, and Southend.
The production received widespread critical praise, with reviewers highlighting its nostalgic tribute to British comedy. The Metro called it "pitch perfect... genius." WhatsOnStage commended the "trio of sublime performances",[27] and The Sunday Times referred to it as "lovingly written and directed",[28] and The Sunday Express praised it as "a blissful blast of nostalgia and belly laughs". Critics widely noted its ability to balance humour with a poignant reflection on the lives of its subjects, resonating strongly with audiences.
Hendy is currently adapting the script into a feature film.
Novels
In 2004, Hendy wrote the novel Diary of a C-List Celeb,[29] a fictionalised account of his experiences in television and the entertainment industry. The novel was published by Bantam (Penguin Random House).
Davina McCall called the book "(b)loody genius, very funny and leg-crossingly embarrassing!" and Declan Donnelly of Ant and Dec called it "Very funny ... and spookily close to the truth".[30]
In 2006, Hendy wrote the sequel, Who Killed Simon Peters? also published by Bantam (Penguin Random House).[31]
Radio
On radio, Hendy has hosted his own late night phone-in show, three times a week on LBC (1996). He has also presented a series of one-off specials for BFBS in which he interviewed celebrities about their all-time favourite top ten records (2001).[citation needed]
Evolution Productions
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In 2005, Hendy set up Evolution Productions with his wife, Emily Wood. It produces film and theatre in the UK and abroad.[32]
Evolution's 2017/18 production of Peter Pan at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury was attended by over 100,000 theatre goers, a record for the venue.[33] The British Theatre Guide called the show "one of the best productions in the country".[34]
Each year, Evolution produces 10 pantomimes around the UK with performers including: Stephen Mulhern, Duncan James, Shirley Ballas, Steve McFadden, Rita Simons and George Takei.[35][36][37][38][39]
During the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival,[40] Evolution Productions produced a play, The Last Laugh, written and directed by Hendy[41] and based on his 2016 film of the same name. The plot imagines a meeting between British comedians Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.
Awards
Film awards
| Year | Award | Awarding Body | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/2024 | Best Horror | Ignite Film Festival[42] | Won |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ignite Film Festival[42] | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Los Angeles Independent Film Festival | Won | |
| Award of Excellence Special Mention: Film Short | Accolade Global Film Competition[43] | Won | |
| Award of Excellence: Actress: Leading (Rita Simons) | Accolade Global Film Competition[44] | Won | |
| Best of Show | Best Shorts[45] | Won | |
| Best Direction | Best Shorts[45] | Won | |
| Best Leading Man | Best Shorts[45] | Won | |
| Honourable Mention | Brighton Rocks International Film Festival | Won | |
| 2017 | Best UK Film | Manchester Film Festival[17] | Won |
| Best UK Short | Won | ||
| Best Actor | St Albans Film Festival[46] | Won | |
| Best Film | Won | ||
| Best Short (Comedy) | International Film Festival of Word Cinema | Won | |
| 2016 | Award of Excellence | The Accolade Global Film Festival[47] | Won |
| Best Comedy Drama | Los Angeles Independent Film Festival[48] | Won | |
| Award of Excellence | The Best Shorts Competition[49] | Won | |
| Best Actor | Southampton International Film Festival[50] | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Discover Film Festival[51] | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sydney Independent Film Festival[52] | Won | |
| Best Screenplay | Won |
Filmography
Production
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Choice | Producer & Director | Short |
| 2018 | Mr Sunshine | Producer & Director | Short |
| 2017 | The Last Laugh | Writer, Director & Producer | Short |
| 2016 | Help! My Teachers are Aliens! | Writer, Director & Producer | Short |
| 2014 | Ski Fall | Writer, Director & Producer | Short |
| 2014 | Home Alone (in Eastry) | Writer, Director & Producer | Short |
Self
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | When Award Shows Go Horribly Wrong | Himself | |
| 2015 | Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | Himself | |
| 1998–2001 | Don't Try This at Home! | Presenter | 5 Series |
| 1999 | Night Fever | Himself | 3 Episodes |
| 1999 | This Morning | Himself | |
| 1996–1998 | Dear Mr Barker | Presenter | 3 Series |
| 1995 | Travel Bug | Host | |
| 1994 | Celebrity Squares | Himself | |
| 1989 | The Disney Club | Presenter |
Actor
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Talking TV | ||
| 1995 | For Amusement Only | On Screen Participant | 13 Episodes |
| 1992 | Parallel 9 | ||
| 1987 | Out of Order | Roberts |
References
External links
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