# Paul Nicholas
**Paul Nicholas** (born Paul Oscar Beuselinck; 1944) is an English actor, singer, director and producer known for originating the role of Jesus in the original London production of *Jesus Christ Superstar*, playing the [Rum Tum Tugger](https://www.edgepedia.org/rum-tum-tugger) in the original London cast of *Cats*, and starring as Vince Pinner in the BBC sitcom *Just Good Friends* (1983–1986).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/bio/) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) His career has moved between pop music, West End musicals, film, television comedy and theater production for more than six decades.[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Paul Oscar Beuselinck, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, 1944; one reference work gives 1945[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/bio/) • [4](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945) |
| Stage names | Performed as Paul Dean and Oscar in the 1960s before settling on Paul Nicholas[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) |
| Signature stage roles | Claude in *Hair* (1968), the title role in the original London *Jesus Christ Superstar* (1972), Rum Tum Tugger in the original London *Cats* (1981)[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) |
| Pop chart record | Four UK Top 40 singles in 1976–77, including two Top 10 hits; "Heaven On The 7th Floor" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in New Zealand[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) • [5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) |
| Best-known TV role | Vince Pinner in *Just Good Friends* (1983–1986, 22 episodes), singing the theme tune; BAFTA nomination[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/bio/) • [4](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945) |
| Production career | With David Ian, West End producer of *Saturday Night Fever* and *Grease*; the Broadway revival of *Grease* was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical[6](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/paul-nicholas-9710) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) |
| Later acting | Gavin Sullivan in *EastEnders* (2015–2016, 32 episodes); the Major in *Fawlty Towers: The Play* (2024)[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/filmotype) |
| Memoirs | *Behind the Smile* (1999, with Douglas Thompson); *Musicals, Marigolds & Me* (2021)[8](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) |
## Early career in music
Nicholas began performing in the early 1960s under the stage name Paul Dean, forming Paul Dean & The Dreamers, who were booked to support The Savages, the backing band of the British rocker [Screaming Lord Sutch](https://www.edgepedia.org/screaming-lord-sutch).[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) Sutch noticed him there, and Nicholas became vocalist and pianist with The Savages.[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) With Sutch's act he took part in a stage routine built around the song "Jack the Ripper", in which he played one of the killer's victims and was "murdered" on stage nightly.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair)
**Stigwood and the first singles.** In 1966 Nicholas signed with [Robert Stigwood](https://www.edgepedia.org/robert-stigwood)'s Reaction Records label, releasing a first single under the name Oscar, "Club of Lights", which entered the lower reaches of the Radio London Fab Forty chart.[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) In 1967 he recorded "Over the Wall We Go", a satirical song written by the young [David Bowie](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-bowie).[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/)
## West End breakthroughs
When auditions opened for the new musical *Hair*, Nicholas, who was then working an office job at a music publisher, went along and won the leading role of Claude in the London production, which opened in 1968.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) • [5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) He has described *Hair* as his first job in the theater and as part of a wider cultural loosening in late-1960s London.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair)
In 1972 he won the title role in the original London production of [Andrew Lloyd Webber](https://www.edgepedia.org/andrew-lloyd-webber) and [Tim Rice](https://www.edgepedia.org/tim-rice)'s *Jesus Christ Superstar* at the Palace Theatre, after auditioning among roughly 3,000 hopefuls in a publicized search for "Who Will Be Jesus?".[9](https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/fashion/news/style-the-way-i-was-jesus-christ-crucified-by-the-press-paul-nicholas-tells-nicholas-roe-how-he-discovered-what-it-meant-to-play-the-messiah-1564491.html) The Guardian describes him as the first actor to play the lead in the show.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) The title itself drew protest; Nicholas recalled demonstrations outside and called the part his first experience of real limelight.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) He later took over the role of Danny Zuko in the London production of *Grease* (1973), appearing with [Elaine Paige](https://www.edgepedia.org/elaine-paige).[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair)
In 1981 he originated the role of the Rum Tum Tugger in the original London cast of *Cats* at the New London Theatre, alongside [Finola Hughes](https://www.edgepedia.org/finola-hughes), Sarah Brightman, Brian Blessed and [Wayne Sleep](https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-sleep).[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) • [8](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) He has said he declined the chance to invest in the production, which he later called probably Lloyd Webber's biggest hit.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair)
## Film and pop success
Nicholas's film career began in 1970 with *Cannabis*, followed by *See No Evil* (1971) and *What Became of Jack and Jill?* (1972).[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) In 1975 he played Cousin Kevin in [Ken Russell](https://www.edgepedia.org/ken-russell)'s film of [The Who](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-who)'s rock opera *Tommy* and [Richard Wagner](https://www.edgepedia.org/richard-wagner) in Russell's *Lisztomania*; other 1970s credits include *Stardust* (1974), *Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band* (1978, as Dougie Shears), *The World Is Full of Married Men* (1979) and *Yesterday's Hero* (1979).[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) • [7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/filmotype)
In 1976 he relaunched his pop career with three UK Top 20 hits: "Reggae Like It Used To Be", "Dancing with the Captain", and "Grandma's Party", the last two reaching the Top 10.[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) His 1977 single "Heaven On The 7th Floor" just reached the UK Top 40 but went to No. 1 in New Zealand, peaked at [No. 6](https://www.edgepedia.org/no-6) on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and earned him a gold record.[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/)
## Just Good Friends and television
In 1983 Nicholas was cast as Vince Pinner in the BBC romantic sitcom *Just Good Friends*, written by John Sullivan, the creator of *Only Fools and Horses*, and centered on Vince's on-off relationship with his posher former lover, played by [Jan Francis](https://www.edgepedia.org/jan-francis).[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) The series ran from 1983 to 1986 for 22 episodes, and Nicholas sang its theme tune.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/bio/) The role made him a television household name and earned him a BAFTA Television Award nomination for best light entertainment performance; one retrospective profile states he won the award in 1984, while reference works and the show's own coverage describe it as a nomination.[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) • [4](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945) • [10](https://www.bigredbook.info/paul_nicholas.html) He also received a best actor nomination, around 1988, for the LWT comedy-drama *Bust*, which drew about 11 million viewers each Friday night.[4](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945) • [8](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html)
Later television work included *Sunburn* (2000, as holiday-company owner David Janus), *Burnside* (2000, as Ronnie Buchan), *The Bill*, *Holby City*, *Heartbeat*, *Doctors* and *Close to Home*.[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) • [3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) In 2015 he joined *EastEnders* as Gavin Sullivan, the controlling husband of [Kathy Beale](https://www.edgepedia.org/kathy-beale) and biological father of Sharon Watts, a markedly darker role than Vince Pinner; he remained in the program until 2016.[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) • [7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/filmotype) In 2017 he appeared as himself in the second series of the BBC travel program *The Real Marigold Hotel* and later editions of *The Real Marigold on Tour*.[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/)
## Producer and later stage work
**Theatrical production.** Nicholas went into producing with the actor David Ian, reviving *Jesus Christ Superstar*, in which he also played Jesus, and later producing *Grease* and *Saturday Night Fever* in the West End.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) On Broadway, *Saturday Night Fever* (1999–2000) was originally produced in London's West End by Nicholas, who also collaborated on its adaptation, and the Nicholas and Ian production of *Grease* was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.[6](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/paul-nicholas-9710)
His straight-acting and touring stage work has included the West End play *The Mysterious Mr. Love* (1997), Simon Gray's *Stagestruck*, the original production of *Caught in the Net* as John Smith, and a 1998 co-produced musical version of *A Tale of Two Cities* in which he starred as Sidney Carton; a decade later he directed that musical's London premiere at Upstairs at the Gatehouse.[5](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/) • [8](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html) Musical roles outside the West End have included the Pirate King in *The Pirates of Penzance*, the title role in *Doctor Dolittle*, Tevye in *Fiddler on the Roof*, and Barnum.[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/) • [10](https://www.bigredbook.info/paul_nicholas.html) In 2024 he took the role of the Major in *Fawlty Towers: The Play*.[3](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/)
## Writing and recognition
Nicholas has written two books: the autobiography *Behind the Smile*, published in 1999 with the journalist Douglas Thompson, and the memoir *Musicals, Marigolds & Me*, published in 2021, which he wrote during lockdown.[8](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html) • [2](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair) He was profiled on *This Is Your Life* in October 1991, surprised by Michael Aspel during the curtain call of *Barnum* at the Bristol Hippodrome.[10](https://www.bigredbook.info/paul_nicholas.html) He also received the Silver Heart from the Variety Club of Great Britain for his entertainment and charity work.[4](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945)
## Personal life
Nicholas married Susan Gee in 1966; they had two children, Natasha and Oscar, before divorcing in 1970.[4](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945) He met the actress Linzi Jennings when she was in the cast of *Hair*, and they married on 10 December 1984.[8](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/bio/)
## References
1. [Paul Nicholas Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/bio/)
2. [Emine Saner, "'If you have dreams, follow them!' Paul Nicholas on Bowie, the Bee Gees, playing Jesus", The Guardian, 19 June 2023](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jun/19/if-you-have-dreams-follow-them-paul-nicholas-on-bowie-the-bee-gees-playing-jesus-and-ruffling-the-kings-hair)
3. [Paul Nicholas: Peterborough Actor & Singer, Discover Peterborough](https://www.discoverpeterborough.co.uk/peterborough-people/paul-nicholas/)
4. [Nicholas, Paul 1945-, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/nicholas-paul-1945)
5. [Paul Nicholas Bio, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Paul-Nicholas/)
6. [Paul Nelson — Paul Nicholas, Broadway Cast & Staff, IBDB](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/paul-nicholas-9710)
7. [Paul Nicholas Filmography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629417/filmotype)
8. [Ciaran Brown meets actor Paul Nicholas](https://www.ciaranbrown.com/nicholas.html)
9. [Nicholas Roe, "Jesus Christ, crucified by the press", The Independent, 18 December 1992](https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/fashion/news/style-the-way-i-was-jesus-christ-crucified-by-the-press-paul-nicholas-tells-nicholas-roe-how-he-discovered-what-it-meant-to-play-the-messiah-1564491.html)
10. [This Is Your Life: Paul Nicholas, Big Red Book](https://www.bigredbook.info/paul_nicholas.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames N to R*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license