Paul Henry

Paul Henry Smith (born 3 January 1946), known professionally as Paul Henry, is an English actor best known for his role as Benny Hawkins in the soap opera Crossroads, on which he appeared on 354 episodes over 11 years. Henry's first acting credit was for his role as Guiccioli on the TV miniseries The Roads to Freedom. Career Born in Aston, Birmingham, Henry attended the city's Alderlea Boys School in Shard End with Jeff Lynne. Henry trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, which was followed by eight years at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Between 1975 and 1988, he played his best-known role of Benny Hawkins, a handyman in Crossroads. In 1975 Henry featured in the British television police drama, The Sweeney. He appeared in the episode Stoppo Driver in which he played the character of Maurice Brass, a career criminal and hardman, associated with a family of criminals involved in the kidnap of the wife of Detective Constable Brian Cooney, a Flying Squad driver. In 1977, Henry recorded "Benny's Theme" with the Mayson Glen Orchestra for Pye Records. It peaked at no. 39 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1978. He was in character as Benny in the song, but spoke rather than sang.