INTERVIEW: Paul Zenon gets On the Bus

Now the trickster has returned the favour to Dot and is doing the same for others like her with his Wonderbus project.

His show On the Bus, coming to Worthing's Pavilion Theatre, and bringing him together with Harry Hill and Lee Mack, is raising funds for the Wonderbus, which takes older people on a trip to the theatre.

Paul grew up in Earby, on the borders of Lancashire and Yorkshire. "Way back when I was six or seven, Dot would would take factory workers' kids to see pantos in Bradford, about 30 miles away," he said.

"It was my first taste of showbiz and got me hooked. We've kept in touch over the years and Dot has followed my career.

"I saw her at my gran's funeral two years ago and we were talking about the trips as they set off from where she is living now.

"I was talking to friends in the pub and thought it would be a nice idea to return the favour.

"A fund raiser was organised at the Comedy Store in London which paid for a trip to see the same panto I went to see '“ Aladdin '“ at the same theatre '“ Bradford Alhambra.

"It was such a fun thing to do I thought I would do a few more and set up a not for profit organisation and I've just applied for registered charity status."

Last year, Paul was joined by Harry Hill and Lee Mack for a show at Theatre Royal Brighton, Paul's local theatre.

"It was such a big success, everybody enjoyed it and Harry and Lee suggested we toured it. We're doing eight dates around the south of England and one for Harry's mum's charity, Cancer Research.

"I've worked with Harry and Lee for years. The show is an interesting mix as we all have different styles. The problem is getting a time when we can all tour as we are busy with our own stuff."

Paul is MC for On the Bus and guest acts like a one-man band and a balloon modeller join prince of daftness Harry Hill and star of BBC1 sitcom Not Going Out Lee Mack for what Paul calls "a modern twist on a variety show".

They aim to raise enough money to buy a specially kitted out bus and organise more outings.

"It's more of a day trip really," said Paul. "We have a sherry send off, a sing along, go for a meal and see a play or show.

"There's been a couple up Yorkshire/Lancashire way and around Brighton. I'm planning to bring people from Brighton to Worthing theatres.

"It gets them out and gives them companionship. Older people get pushed to one side these days. Entertainment is all geared up for a younger audience.

"It amazes me to see the TV programmes on a Saturday night aimed at younger people, when they will be out and older people have nothing to watch. I'd like to see more dedicated channels on TV for them."

Paul has been dubbed "Britain's oldest juvenile delinquent" and reputedly pulled off his first sting aged eight selling fake raffle tickets.

He skived off school to make his first stage appearance aged 11, his first TV appearance aged 15 and spent every summer working in a Blackpool joke shop as a teenager and performing at hotels in the evenings.

In the early '90s he presented children's TV programmes Tricky Business and Tricks 'n' Tracks, he's a regular guest in dictionary corner on Countdown and recent shows include Paul Zenon's Revenge Squad and White Magic with Paul Zenon.

He's had sell-out runs at Edinburgh, Brighton, Adelaide and Melbourne festivals and is a regular on the comedy club and corporate circuits.

His books include 100 Ways to Win a Tenner, Paul Zenon's Dirty Tricks and Street Magic.

"It's nice to keep moving on and doing something different. I'm putting together a tiny show for Edinburgh Festival, which lasts 15 minutes and will run twice an hour to 20 people at a time."

And if there's something naughty going on in Brighton then it might be down to Paul and his mate and fellow trickster Guy Venables.

"We have a hobby of doing hoax stuff," he said. "We have even get the credit for things we haven't done."

On the Bus is at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre on June 16 at 8pm. Tickets are 15 to 20 from the box office on 01903 206206 or click here

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