PAUL WILLIAMS is on an Express route to the heights.

The former dancer with St Joseph's Players this week jetted off to Germany to feature in the hit stage musical "Starlight Express."

And his parents, back home in Landside, Leigh, are delighted. "There has been a lot of heartbreak along the way," said proud dad John Williams.

"But Paul was determined to succeed and we are so happy for him.

"He took a lot of knocks, he has had lots of auditions and been told he would never make it. Success never comes easy."

Paul, now 23, became the only male dancer in the long history of St Joseph's Players when he joined the company for "Beauty & The Beast" (1990), "Dick Whittington" (1991) and "The Blue Bird" (1992).

After leaving Lowton High, he trained at Merseyside Dance and Drama before becoming a Redcoat, entertaining youngsters at Butlins Minehead.

He then moved to Butlins Bognor Regis, backing stars like Freddie Starr and The Nolans.

Paul has spent the last two years in London, singing and dancing at The Cockney Club, and making occasional TV appearances on BBC's "Holiday" and "The Generation Game" programmes.

Now comes a 15-month contract in Dusseldorf, where success comes in a show on roller skates.

And Paul is also getting used to a new name. Gone is 'Paul Williams' - already a popular name in showbiz circles - and in comes Paul Brookland.

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