He was described as a gentle giant with a thunderous voice…and one of the best-loved and popular entertainers for decades across Norfolk.

At home he was Roger Blanchflower, beloved husband, father and grandfather. On stage he was Paul Eden. A truly great showman who many of you will remember with love and affection.

I am sad to report that Roger has died aged at the age of 83 leaving behind a legacy of music and joy and his funeral service will be Thursday July 18.

Roger’s journey into music began when he starting singing in the school choir in Norwich to manage his asthma. It soon became clear he had a fine and strong voice.

(Image: Family collection)

He took his gift to the city pubs where he soon became a local favourite. His first regular residency was at The Blue Rooms, which marked the start of a great career and the arrival of Paul Eden.

In the early 60s he and his wife Pat moved to Leicester where he worked full-time as an entertainer in the working men’s clubs.

But they missed Norwich and came home where Roger balanced a demanding job at Edwards & Holmes shoe factory and later at United Carriers, loading lorries by day and enchanting audiences at night with his powerful voice.

(Image: Newsquest)

He soon became a much-loved and regular artist at the music halls and cabaret circuits, often singing seven nights a week at the holiday camps, including Pontins, Seacroft and Silver Sands.

Sharing the stage with the likes of Norman Wisdom, Dick Emery, Jimmy Jones and many more. There was a summer season at Cromer Pier and he appeared at the one and only Garibaldi at Great Yarmouth run by Gordon Edwards.

But Roger, sorry Paul, also loved his partnerships with local favourites who became good friends such as the brilliant Sparky Flint, Eddie Johns, Peachy Mead, Jean Lear, Norma Wickes, Johnny Cleveland and Eve Bridger.

His son Lee fondly recalls: “As a little boy, I always knew when dad was about to take to the stage and even now, all those years on, I can still feel and smell the smoky atmosphere of people who loved cabaret.

(Image: Family collection)

“I’d stand by the stage, the band would strike up his signature intro and the compare would say…’ladies and gentleman, put your hands together and give a big warm welcome to the one and only Mr Paul Eden’…and dad would hit the stage.

“With his statuesque build and huge smile on his face smoothly taking the microphone from the compere and break effortlessly on cue into What a Difference a Day Makes …24 little hours.”

Lee says: “It makes the hairs stand up on my arms just thinking about it. Dad had one of the most powerful voices I’d ever heard and could hold the biggest note for what seemed like an eternity.

“People loved him, both on stage and off. He’d do anything for anybody and had a huge circle of friends. Sadly many have now passed away.”

(Image: Family collection)

He was also the popular resident singer at the much-loved Windmill on Plumstead Road, Norwich, during the 1970s for Alan and Blanche Clarke and also won the prestigious Talk of East Anglia Talent Contest.

And the much-loved former teacher and musician Tony Ireland shared a stage with him saying: “He was a gentle giant of a man with a thunderous voice.

“Paul sang with such power you got the impression he had his own amplification system, although he was able to use his control switch to produce pianissimo when necessary,” said Tony.

The highlight of his career was when he appeared on television, under his real name, on the Michael Barrymore Show singing My Heart & I and then closing the show with a duet alongside Barrymore.

(Image: Family collection)

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017, Roger’s spirit remained unbroken but following a fall in 2022, he moved into a nursing home the following year.

Roger was truly one of the last of Norfolk’s original cabaret greats and leaves his beloved wife Pat, son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Jo, and grandchildren Brittany, Harry and Alfie, who will forever cherish his memory.

*The funeral service will be held at St Faith’s Crematorium, on Thursday July 18 at 1.30pm. People are kindly requested to avoid wearing black clothing and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Parkinson’s UK through Nicholas Potts, Funeral Directors, Norwich. Tel: 01603 219779.

A final word from son Lee: “Roger Blanchflower, our Paul Eden, may you rest in peace, serenaded by the music you loved so dearly.”

(Image: Family collection)