Interview: Pauline Daniels
The woman who could make you laugh, cry… and then laugh all over again
I first met Pauline Daniels at a club in Elton, a tiny village tucked away near Ellesmere Port.
If memory serves me right, it’s somewhere near Stanlow.
Pauline was topping the bill.
I was the support act.
At the time, I knew her as the larger-than-life Scouser who could reduce an audience to tears of laughter within minutes.
What I wasn’t expecting…
Was the voice.
When she sang Lilac Wine and Send in the Clowns, the room fell silent.
It was breathtaking.
If you’d walked in halfway through, you’d have sworn she was a singer.
You’d never have guessed that five minutes later she’d have the audience doubled over laughing.
Over the years, our paths crossed many times, usually when we found ourselves sharing the same bill. I even remember getting a telling-off from her once, although, looking back, I probably deserved it.
It wasn’t until I finally sat down to interview Pauline that I met the woman behind the performer.
Gone was the booming voice and the whirlwind personality that audiences knew so well.
Sitting opposite me was someone thoughtful, warm and wonderfully honest.
By the end of our conversation, I realised we’d only really scratched the surface.
What has lockdown taught you about yourself?
Pauline doesn’t hesitate.
“That after three not-very-good marriages, I’ve finally married the right man.”
She laughs.
“If I’d been locked down with any of the others, I’d probably be serving life for murder by now.”
Typical Pauline.
She can make you laugh while saying something completely heartfelt.
“My heart goes out to anyone who’s in the wrong relationship. Having the right person beside you makes all the difference.”
She becomes more reflective.
“There were difficult days, but every morning I woke up grateful that Frank was there.”
One thing else became crystal clear.
“I’ve always known I’m a people person.”
A life without an audience simply isn’t the same.
“I’ve missed performing so much.”
Has anything positive come out of lockdown?
“My faith in people.”
Her answer comes instantly.
“There are so many good people willing to help others.”
Then, almost as an afterthought, she discovers something about herself.
“I’ve realised I’m creative in more ways than I thought.”
During lockdown she began writing.
A play.
A book.
Fresh comedy material.
She laughs.
“I’m just hoping I manage to finish at least one of them.”
You’re heading back out on tour. How does that feel?
“Exciting… and slightly terrifying.”
Like so many performers, Pauline found herself experimenting with live-streamed shows during lockdown.
“Comedy isn’t the easiest thing to do from your kitchen.”
She laughs.
“But it reached people all over the country.”
One of those people happened to be a promoter.
Before long, a nationwide tour had been arranged.
“Dates just kept being added.”
Although she’s spent years performing in theatre productions, returning to stand-up feels very different.
“I’m back out there on my own.”
Then she smiles.
“Being scared is good.”
“It means you still care.”
If you had to choose just one… acting, comedy or singing?
“I couldn’t.”
The answer arrives immediately.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have all three.”
She talks fondly about spending six months with the Everyman rep company, describing it as one of the happiest periods of her career.
But once the curtain came down…
“I was desperate to make people laugh again.”
So what would be the perfect role?
She doesn’t need long to think.
“Musical comedy.”
Then she grins.
“I’m greedy.”
After all…
“Hearing people laugh is the greatest drug in the world.”
You’ve had an extraordinary career. Is there one moment that stands above all the others?
Pauline shakes her head.
There have simply been too many.
Meeting Bob Hope.
Appearing at the London Palladium.
Playing Mae West opposite Barry Cryer’s W.C. Fields.
Starring in Chicago, Gypsy and Shirley Valentine.
Even telling Simon Cowell exactly what she thought of Britain’s Got Talent.
“That’s a story on its own,” she laughs.
Then her expression changes.
“Actually…”
She knows the answer.
Being made an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University.
“That meant everything to me.”
Not because of the title.
Because of who was there to witness it.
“My mum and dad were so proud.”
Her voice softens.
“Dad died six months later.”
She pauses for a moment.
“I’ll never forget the look on their faces that day.”
“Yes…”
“That was definitely the highlight.”
As our conversation came to an end, I found myself thinking back to the very first time I’d seen Pauline perform.
I’d expected a comedian.
Instead, I’d discovered an extraordinary singer.
Years later, sitting opposite her, I discovered something else.
Behind the quick wit, the one-liners and the larger-than-life personality is a woman with enormous warmth, deep gratitude and a genuine love of making people happy.
Perhaps that’s why audiences have loved Pauline Daniels for so many years.
They don’t simply laugh with her.
They feel as though they know her.
And after spending an afternoon in her company…
I think they probably do.