Paul Melba on the terrace of his home

A born entertainer, Paul has been recruited to host Swan Dating – it hopes to find people a partner for life – and plans to put everyone at ease and bring some old world charm to modern matchmaking. Once a television favourite and still in demand after moving to Spain, guests may find themselves rubbing their eyes when Paul skilfully brings a galaxy of stars to life. Swan Dating is a new venture for showbiz entrepreneur David Tyson – Paul’s agent in the UK as the man behind Wizz Promotions – who believes there is a market for a professionally run dating business.

Speaking at his home just outside Altea, Paul said: “David is a smashing guy and an entrepreneur par excellence. He is looking all the time for things to pick up on and has a friend who successfully runs a speed dating service.

SPAIN
“He wants to do it here in Spain with me, Paul Melba, presenting it. I will be the charming host and will explain everything, perhaps find out a little bit about everyone and generally make them feel comfortable.” The venture starts at La Luna Restaurant and Bar, Calle Brazil 53, 03140 Guadarmar del Segura, on July 23rd and July 25th (see the current RTN advert).

Paul said the first night was for people aged 25 to 55 and the second for evergreens over 55. “I am sure if he gets a tickle on this we will be moving to other parts of the coast.”

He said there was a serious side to the dating game as too many people found themselves alone after moving to start a new life in the Spanish sun.

“Loneliness needs to be addressed,” said Paul. “I want to get people together, too often people do not bother to go out on their own anymore and find it hard to find romance.

WATER
“Apparently in London speed dating is very popular – it’s like leading them to water.”

Admitting he still has a “showbiz ego”, he is ready to entertain with jokes, stories and impressions but is wary of making the occasion “too hammy.”

“I will be doing the occasional impressions to lighten the atmosphere – it is my job to make sure everyone feels relaxed.”

A regular guest on Vince Tracy’s OCI Radio show, Paul has been a professional entertainer for 52 years. Born into the business – his father was Sandy Franks, a celebrated variety comic - he launched his own career aged 22 after five years service with the Royal Marines.

And as a rising star, he became a regular on seventies shows ‘Who Do You Do?’ and, of course, The Comedians, and Val Doonican’s series.

Paul’s versatility also meant he was in demand to ‘voice over’ commercials and make guest appearances. He also enjoyed making two royal Command Performances and appearing at Sunday Night at the London Palladium and the Talk of the Town.

CHANCE
“Once by sheer chance I was on five television programmes in a single day,” he remembered. “It started with Pebble Mill At One, then Today, Celebrity Squares, Who do You Do, and The Comedians.

“In one way it was a bad thing, over saturation, but these shows were pre-recorded and it was just one of those things.”

After moving to Spain six years ago, he continues to work but has allowed his schedule to become more relaxing and finds himself in demand as a witty after dinner speaker – he tells a good tale – as well as an impressionist.

“I prefer only doing one or two gigs a week otherwise my voice goes down and I find it hard to impersonate people with higher pitched vocal ranges,” he admitted.

Heralded as “the best impressionist in the world”, Paul said his favourite character “is the one I am learning at the time.”

He is most frequently asked to perform James Mason, Rocky Bilbao, Sean Connery and Michael Caine – having once had Sir Michael in stitches with his impression of the cinema great.

PRINCE
However, at the drop of a hat Paul becomes Prince Charles, Jack Nicholson, or Nelson Mandela and explaining the tricks of the trade had your correspondent in stitches as Jack Hawkins on the bridge of Compass Rose in The Cruel Sea. And in a very full armoury, he is a specialist at employing a fine voice to do singing impressions – such as Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra.

His varied career, he has also worked as a straight actor with the likes of the late Oliver Reed, Paul also served on board some of the world’s best-known cruise ships.

Yet, after travelling the world on professional duty, his proudest moment remains a personal invitation to make a solo performance before the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace.

“I enjoy life here in Spain, relaxing, eating out and playing golf,” he said. “But I still enjoy working, it’s in the blood.”

Paul Melba on the terrace of his home