Additional reporting by John Nurden

Tributes have been paid to a “wonderfully generous, talented and hilarious” comedian.

Paul Harris, a veteran panto dame who was born in Rochester and performed and lived on Sheppey, died on Friday (December 8) after being diagnosed with lung cancer two months ago.

He passed away at his home in Canterbury aged 80.

When he was first told of his condition in October he broke the news to friends on social media saying: “After 60 years in the entertainment business, I have been diagnosed with lung cancer.

“Two tumours that can be managed but not cured.”

Paul was born in Rochester, left Chatham House Grammar School at 15 and signed up as an apprentice wheelwright at Chatham Dockyard.

However, after realising he wasn’t cut out for that type of work he saw a panto advert on a bus and applied.

His first role was in Sinbad The Sailor at the Palace Theatre, Plymouth, in 1961.

After that, he appeared in pantomimes up and down the country, as a stand-up in clubs and theatres, and on BBC Radio Kent with his friend and fellow comic, the late Paul James.

The pair quickly became a hit as “the two Ps” hosting the Saturday Carry On with showbiz tales, comic japes and a list of top star guests they cajoled into joining them on air.

Harris also ran a theatre shop in Rochester and during his time in Medway, he also became patron of Rainham’s Oast House Theatre.

He later moved to Canterbury and then, in 2015, settled on the Isle of Sheppey where he hosted and produced a series of music hall variety shows at the Criterion Theatre.

He became patron of that, too, along with showbiz legend Jess Conrad, and opened the Media Centre in Sheerness which is home to Sheppey FM community radio station.

Harris also toured his own tribute show to Frankie Howerd called Titter Ye Not.

In 2019, when he was 76, he decided to retire from the stage.

He continued with after-dinner talks but turned his attention to writing books from his home in Seathorpe Avenue, Minster.

His first was The Panto Mime Book which lists the history behind all major pantos.

He also wrote Beyond The Glitter, a no-holds barred look behind the scenes at showbiz scams over the ages.

The Secrets of Brain Power catalogued his theory of how the mind can work its magic on its own. The latter was written under the name of Lord David Harris.

In 2022 he decided to return to Canterbury.

Speaking on his death, BBC Radio Kent presenter, Dominic King said: “Paul Harris was a pro from head to toe. He just knew how to entertain people.

“For many of us who worked with him, along with his radio brother and pal Paul James (PJ the DJ), they will both be remembered as masters of comic timing.

“But more than that, Paul knew what would make radio listeners laugh.

“When we announced his passing on air we had immediate reaction from those who had worked alongside him. Producers spoke about him with smiles on their faces.

“I will always remember how he and PJ, usually in stitches, had to be brought back into line by their incredibly patient producer Jonathan Witchell on the very popular Saturday Carry On show.

“The two Pauls are now together. I’m sure they have met at entertainments’ Pearly Gates to plan their command performance.”

Although Harris refused to tour, last year he agreed to direct one last panto, Snow White at the Whitley Bay Playhouse starring Linda Lusardi, for Blue Genie Entertainment.

Its managing director Gary Telfer said: “Paul had been there for me for more than 25 years. We worked together on many projects up and down the country.

“He was my mentor and a font of knowledge regarding panto. I will miss him dearly. But his work will continue in my productions.

“I shall be forever grateful for the time we had together. It’s fitting that as the curtain goes up on my show today, Paul takes his final bow.”

Fellow Kent comic Lloyd Hollett paid tribute, too.

He recalled: “I learned so much from him. He was a wonderfully generous performer.

“He was a wonderfully generous performer...”

“We would often chat for hours, just putting the world to rights.

“I have many happy memories of some wonderful lunches at his former home in Rochester. This is a very sad day in the entertainment world.”

Harris’s best friend, Gordon Harris, broke the news on social media on Friday.

He wrote: “Paul passed away from us at 4am this morning. He has been a good friend to me for 60 years.

“We met when I was 19 and he was 20, although he always insisted he was younger!

“He had a long career in panto as one of the country’s foremost dames. His talks on his days in panto were hilarious.”

Graham Long, who used to run the Woodville Halls theatre in Gravesend, added: “Paul was such a talent and font of knowledge and stories. We had many fun shows with him during my time running Woodville Halls.

“I’m sure Paul James will be waiting to rekindle their partnership.”