HE was a multi-talented musician and entertainer from the golden age of variety performers.

Paul Squire worked with leading names including Bob Monkhouse, Bernard Manning, and Bill Haley during his long and distinguished career.

Now tributes are being paid to the star, who lived at Stocksfield for three decades, following his death at the age of 69, on December 4.

Family and friends of the entertainer attended his funeral at Mountsett Crematorium, in County Durham, on Friday.

“Dad had many talents,” said his son Jamie, who went on to become a successful musician in his own right, and is currently one of the singers on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

“He had an incredible singing voice, and had a great ability to interject comedy. Dad was a natural variety performer who refined his act, and it worked well everywhere he went.”

Born in Stoke-on-Trent on July 11, 1950, Paul was a child star from the age of six. Under the guidance of his parents Jimmy and Robina, he sang on stage with his siblings Peter and Joanne, as The Millionnaires.

In his late twenties, Paul eventually went solo. His breakthrough came at the 1980 Royal Variety Show at the London Palladium, where he went over his eight-minute slot, and threw-in an unscripted gag about the then new American president Ronald Reagan.

The bold approach paid off however, as it led to four years of television opportunities with both the BBC and ITV.

Pantomime was another of Paul’s strengths, as he was able to sing, make people laugh, and also make them feel completely at ease.

After a spell living in Wallsend, Paul moved to Stocksfield in the early 1980s.

He also ran a nightclub, the Hacienda, in Prudhoe, alongside his brother, Peter.

The Hacienda attracted big name acts, including Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Paul loved being part of community life in Stocksfield.

He became a key committee member at Stocksfield Golf Club, where he played the game to a single-figure handicap, and also put on music nights.

Both of his sons, Jamie and Ben, joined the club, and Ben was the 2019 club champion.

Paul, who was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, a British entertainment industry movement which carries out worthy charitable work, moved to Oldham, in Greater Manchester, eight years ago. In more recent times, he suffered from respiratory problems, which led to his untimely death.

Jamie said: “Dad was a wonderful man and he was immensely proud that I followed in his footsteps. I think he felt as though his job was done in that respect.”

Like his father did before him, Jamie has performed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, and also worked with singer Lance Ellington.

“Dad played guitar and piano,” he added. “There were always instruments in the house, and it was inevitable that his passion for music would have an impact on us.

“There is no doubt that dad will be a huge miss. He was known as the adopted Georgie, and it worked for him. He loved what he did, and lived life to the full.”