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Lyn Paul

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Lyn Paul, born Lynda Susan Belcher (16 February , 1949 in Wythenshawe, Manchester), is an English pop singer. She changed her name to Lyn Paul before joining the The New Seekers in 1970.

Early years

Lyn began her career in show business as a child actress with a small part in the television drama Coronation Street in 1960 which led her to be in the first ever episode. In the early 1960s she changed her name to Tansy Paul and began a solo career as a pop singer.

Then she went on to lead her own teenage girl band the Crys-Do-Lyns and toured all over the continent in the 1960s before joining the much respected Manchester group the Nocturnes along with Eve Graham, who left to join The New Seekers.

The New Seekers

When Sally Graham left The New Seekers, Eve recommended Lyn for the position. Graham sang lead on most of their earlier hits, but Paul was gradually entrusted with a lot of the lead parts. She was the featured vocalist on hits including their 1972 Eurovision Song Contest entry, "Beg, Steal or Borrow" in which they came second; the 1974 Number 1 hit "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me"; and the Top 10 single, "I Get A Little Sentimental Over You" and many more. She also sang lead on the groups' final single "Sing Hallelujah" which sank without trace. They also recorded the song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola, which is one of the 100 best-selling singles in the UK issued in 2002; selling over 20 million copies world wide. They also had many other hits, including number 1's, top 5 hits and top 10 hits which then led to very successful tours all over the world and performances in the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall. And they had performed for such people as U.S. President Richard Nixon. In 2001 saw the New Seekers being recreated on the popular talent show Stars in Their Eyes which saw a group of youngsters impersonating the band.

Solo career

In 1974 after she left the group, she performed as a solo artist for many years and she became a television personality appearing on many chat shows. Her first solo single was the Golden Globe nominated "Sail The Summer Winds" which had a very good pedigree being a John Barry/Don Black composition and also the theme to the first film produced by Gregory Peck, 1974's The Dove. She had a British Top 40 hit in 1975 with "It Oughta Sell A Million". It didn't. Her solo career has seen her working with Andy Williams, Jack Jones,(with whom she had a brief affair.) (Fact Sun news paper - Lyn paul web site) Dionne Warwick and Liza Minnelli, and has won various accolades including the Carl-Allen Award several times. Her other Polydor singles include "Who's Sorry Now", "Love", "Here Comes That Wonderful Feeling" and "Mama Don't Wait For Me". In 1977 Paul sang "If Everybody Loved The Same As You" in the Song for Europe UK selection, coming fourth. She then went on to record "I Don't Believe You Ever Loved Me", the Doobie Brothers' "Echoes Of Love" and a 1980s power-ballad "Make The Night". She also recorded lead vocals for a Gonks Christmas single "The Gonks Are Here For Christmas" in 1985. Times became hard, however, she endured a brief unhappy marriage with notorious Liverpool Business man and night-club owner Henry Vincent Mc Caffrey, (Vince McCaffrey )that was played out in the tabloids. This marriage took place in April 1980 and only lasted till November 1980 with the final divorce in 1985.(fact lyn paul web site - sun news paper - mail news paper) During her marriage her home in Sefton Park - the former Brazilian embassy, was broken into while her and vince where on honeymoon(Fact lyn paul website - sun - mail -) In recent years she has been a regular on radio programmes being interviewed and asked about her views.

She released a new album in 2006 entitled Late Night. It contains her versions of some of her favourite songs, including "Crying", "I Only Have Eyes For You", Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father" and Nanci Griffiths' "Late Night Grande Hotel". In addition, it also contains two new tracks written for her, "Dance With Desire" and "Clouds".

Musical theatre and acting

Shortly afterwards, an upturn occurred, when she starred in the West End production of Blood Brothers, as the matriarchal lead role Mrs. Johnstone. It was a part she debuted in 1997, and carried in many times up to and including 2008 very successfully. Lyn is arguably one of the best Mrs Johnstones there has been performing the show stopping "Tell Me It's not True" to standing ovations everynight. The role has previously been played by people such as Kiki Dee, Petula Clark and some of The Nolan Sisters.

During one of her breaks from Blood Brothers it was rumoured that Lyn would be starring in the ABBA musical Mama Mia!, but nothing came of the rumours.

She also starred in the stage production of the Boy George musical, Taboo in which she played the down trodden Josie James and sang one of the shows leading songs "Talk Amongst Yourselves". The cast included performers such as: Julian Clary, Hannah Jane Fox, Boy George, and Matt Lucas. The cast album was held back in production to allow Lyn to feature in it.

In 2003 Lyn performed in a new workshop musical called The Biz! in which she played the part of Amanda Power, a theatrical diva who liked to flirt with young men from the chorus who invariably got her own way with everything. The show was flamboyant from start to finish with choreography by Brian Rogers and music written by Chris Hamel-Cooke and Charles Garland.

Paul has also turned to television acting with some success, appearing in ITV's Emmerdale, as the role of, ballroom dancer Freda Danby, who stole Jarvis' heart, she returned to the role in 2005 after popular demand. She has also recorded episodes of Doctors and In Deep on BBC TV. She was also seen on British TV screens in December 2006 in the BBC's Holby City. As well as these acting roles Paul has appeared on Songs of Praise as a performer and The Weakest Link as a contestant.

Lyn joined the cast of Footloose – The Musical in the West-End 2007 National Tour company as the role of Vi Moore, who was previously played by Cheryl Baker, Lyn and the rest of the cast, kicked up a high octane storm around the country. She played the emotionally exhausted mother torn between her rebellious daughter, Ariel, and controlling husband, Reverend Moore, previously played by David Essex. She sings lead songs such as the emotional ballad "Can You Find It In Your Heart" and duets "Learning To Be Silent" as well as being in the company numbers. The cast re-opened the show at the Playhouse Theatre London from August 17 2007 after the six-month tour; Lyn continued her role until December 2007 as Vi Moore.

Personal life

Lyn Paul is married, and with her husband Alan Young, has a son Ryan. From late 2006 to February 2007 they turned their hands at being publicans and ran a pub, The Beehive, in Englefield Green, Surrey.

She is a fan of the English football club Sunderland AFC. Her support of the team borne out of the happy memories she has of appearing in the Sunderland Empire Theatre's 1987 Christmas pantomime production of Aladdin. According to an interview she gave to the local newspaper Sunderland Echo, on September 6, 2005, "Sunderland has some great people... they welcomed us all and were so friendly". She also recalls "... being invited to the football on New Year’s Day [1988] too. I’ve had some terrific times in Sunderland". As well as appearing in Sunderland's Pantomime, Lyn is always on demand and played Dick Whittington in the Windsor Theatre Royal's annual production.

Theatre/Filmography from 2000-present

Year Show Role Venue Notes
1997-Present Blood Brothers Mrs Johnstone Phoenix Theatre
2007 Footloose – The Musical Vi Moore Playhouse Theatre
2007 Country Gals Performer DVD
2006 Holby City Anita Powell BBC
2005 Tour D'Eurovision Herself ITV
2005 TV Adverts' Greatest Hits Herself Channel 4 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing came 1st
2005 Charlie Rich and Friends, Legends in Concert Performer DVD
2005 Tammy Wynette/Various Artists Performer DVD
2005 Johnny Tillotson Rock'n'Roll Legends Performer DVD
2004 The Weakest Link Contestant BBC
2003 The Culture Club Live at the Albert Hall Special Guest The Albert Hall DVD
2003 Taboo Original London Production Josie James The Venue DVD
2003 The Biz! Amanda Power Thameside Theatre
2003, 2005 Emmerdale Freda Danby ITV
2002 Taboo Josie James The Venue
2002 In Deep Amanda BBC
2001 Dick Whittington Dick Whittington Theatre Royal Windsor
2001 Doctors Pam Howard BBC
2001 Songs of Praise Performer BBC Remembrance day Special
2001 '70s Mania Herself ITV Presented by Donny Osmond
2000 I Love 1972 Herself BBC Presented by David Cassidy

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