Paul Henry Smith's early life unfolded in the Shard End district of Birmingham, where he was born to Harry and Freda Smith, his parents. On December 4th, 1969, Paul took the significant step of marrying Sheila, and their union was blessed with the arrival of a daughter, Justine, in 1970, followed by the birth of their son, Anthony, in 1973.
Paul's family consisted of a sister, Tracy, and a brother, Tony, who were also an integral part of his life. During his school days, Paul demonstrated his athletic prowess by participating in the All English Championships, showcasing his remarkable running skills.
After completing his initial training, Paul began his professional journey by working as an apprentice at British Leyland for a year. However, his passion for the performing arts soon took precedence, and he enrolled at Birmingham Drama School at the age of 18, where he spent three years honing his craft.
Paul's time at the drama school was marked by his impressive performance in the production of West Side Story. This led to his inclusion in the esteemed Birmingham Repertory Company, and soon, he landed a significant role in ATV's popular serial, Crossroads, playing the character of Benny Hawkins in 1974.
