Real name: Paul Greenhalgh
Born: 12 April 1979, Bolton, Lancashire, England, UK
Discovered: Nicholls made his TV debut in 1989, at the age of 10, in Children's Ward. He then appeared in the BBC children's drama Earthfasts and later The Biz (BBC, 1994), a teenage performing arts drama filmed at Hampton Court. However, it was his character of Joe Wicks in BBC's long-running soap series EastEnders which earned him national attention. He made his first appearance in the series in February 1996 he soon attracted a large fanbase of teenage viewers and was reportedly receiving more mail than all other cast members combined. Following wide publicity in magazines and newspapers, the BBC initiated a fan club in 1997, to which mail could be directed. National membership reached 3500 with newsletters and photo packs provided to subscribers.
In 1999, he portrayed Jesus (as the character Daniel) in the 3-part BBC Easter production of The Passion. In 2008, he portrayed Judas in another BBC Easter series of the same title.
Film appearances include World War I drama The Trench (1999), Trevor Bentham's 1999 adaptation of the 1776 romantic comedy play The Clandestine Marriage (for which he grew very long hair), Nick Love's Goodbye Charlie Bright (2001), If Only (2004) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004). He appeared briefly as a street boxer in Nick Love's 1999 short film Love Story.
He appeared in several teenage stage roles, notably as Aladdin in Aladdin - Genie of the Ring at the Central Theatre, Chatham (1996/97) and as Billy Fisher in the 1998 production of Billy Liar at the Bush Theatre, London. His West End debut was in 2000 as Edmund Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's adaptation of Long Day's Journey Into Night at the Lyric. Other London stage appearances include Mrs Steinberg and the Byker Boy at the Bush Theatre (2000), Vincent in Brixton at the Royal National Theatre (2002) and a return to the Lyric in Festen in 2005. He was due to play a leading role in the Donmar Warehouse's 2006 production of Phaedra, but had to withdraw with a severe throat condition.
In July 2007, Paul played the part of Terry in Channel 4's Clapham Junction. This hard-hitting drama depicted 36 hours in the life of several gay men and was shown as part of a series of programmes commemorating the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual practices in England & Wales in 1967. He appeared as the character Robert Fielding in Harley Street alongside Suranne Jones, in July and August 2008.
Family: Paul is from Bolton, Greater Manchester, and is the son of Paul and Julie Greenhalgh. He attended Church Road County Primary School (Bolton) and Smithills Dean Secondary School (where he achieved 7 GCSE passes including an 'A' in drama) and learnt his trade at the Bolton Little Theatre. He also attended the prestigious Sylvia Young acting school for a period.
His teenage sporting and other physical activities have included skateboarding, surfing, swimming, basketball and soccer (Paul supports his local football club Bolton Wanderers). He has been a keen kickboxer since a teenager and has more recently taken up regular boxing and skydiving. Some roles involving such activities were The Passion (1999), Goodbye Charlie Bright and A Thing Called Love (soccer, swimming), The Hustle (skydiving), and Love Story (sparring).
Romance: On 2 August 2008, Nicholls married his girlfriend of three years, model Chantal Brown, in an intimate ceremony near their home in Hampstead, north London.
Filmography: The Trench Pte. (1999)
The Clandestine Marriage (1999)
Self Help (2000)
Goodbye Charlie Bright (2001)
High Speed (2002)
If Only (2004)
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
Daylight Robbery (2008)
Faintheart (2008)
Trivia: Paul supports Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
Interests include Skateboarding, kickboxing, and Basketball and Surfing in Newquay, Cornwall (which he used to do with his family)
Paul left school at 16 after gaining 7 GCSE's, including an A in Drama.
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