Who is Gary Beadle? Death in Paradise actor who played Paul Trueman in EastEnders — all you need to know
NOT to be confused with reality star Gaz Beadle, Gary Beadle is best known for playing Paul Trueman in EastEnders from 2001 to 2004.
The Londoner is starring in the sixth series of Death in Paradise, the hit BBC comedy-drama about a British police inspector on a Caribbean island.
Acting saved me ’cause I came from a rough neighbourhood. I could have gone the other way. I know lots of friends that did, so I’m fortunate
New York state of mind
In his early twenties, Gary moved to New York City, where he nurtured a passion for hip hop – he loved Run-D.M.C. and the Sugarhill Gang.
Comic chops
Gary also worked as a comedian, one half of an act called Swift + 2 Club Bouncers.
Once, they performed at a famine relief show, which he described as a "posh do with numbered tables". The audience included Neil Kinnock, Billy Ocean and members of the Royal Family – unbeknownst to Gary and his partner.
Gary : "We did this really hardcore act which involved a gay sergeant major, a cucumber and a kinky private. It was a well kinky sketch. At end there was no laughter – you could hear a pin drop. The organisers were livid."
Trueman show
Gary built up a long list of telly credits, including the roles of Gary Barwick in Operation Good Guys and Edina's ex-husband Oliver in Absolutely Fabulous, before landing a the part of Paul Trueman on EastEnders in 2001.
Fans loved the misunderstood bad boy, and Gary called his experience on the soap "life changing" – but he was happy to leave when his contract was up and his character killed off.
For one, Gary was disappointed that his character had become a drug dealer.
Not one to rest on his laurels, the star also wanted to take on other challenges, : "If you harbour any ambitions at EastEnders you can’t do anything else, so you just live a life of frustrations – you either leave or you stay."
He added: "I embrace the fact that everybody's going to know me from EastEnders. Part of my challenge is to change it. My quest is just to show I can do lots of different things."
Paradise calls
Love and marriage
Gary wed his long-term girlfriend Tanya Findel-Hawkins in 2003, but the pair have since split. They share two sons, Cassius and Louis-Rae.
Romantically Gary has also been linked to a string of other women, including glamour model Alicia Douvall and his EastEnders co-stars Jessie Wallace, Charlie Brooks and Elaine Lordan.
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