'I was TYPEcast!"

Nicholas only got big break after BBC secretaries told bosses he was a star

- David Stephenson

JUST Good Friends star Paul Nicholas only landed his most famous role thanks to half a dozen BBC secretaries telling sceptical bosses he was a hit.

Mr Nicholas had made his name as a singer and the Corporation feared he might not be able to carry the role of Vince, the comedy's lead character, over a series.

So they left the final decision to the typing pool, who came back with the seal of approval.

Mr Nicholas said: "Back then the head of BBC comedy was John Howard Davies, a very nice man.

"But because by that time I'd been a pop singer and had a few hits, he was concerned I wouldn't be able to sustain the part over a series.

"So director Ray Butt decided he would conduct a scientific poll on the pilot we had filmed with Jan Francis. He showed the episode to about five or six secretaries who gave me the thumbs up.