Norman Pace

Norman Pace
Name	Norman Pace
Birth date	17 January 1953
Birth place	Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Occupation	Comedian, actor, presenter, writer
Years active	1980s–present
Notable works	Hale and Pace, Porridge, Birds of a Feather

Norman Pace is an English comedian, actor and television presenter best known as one half of the comedy duo Hale and Pace. Born in Sheffield in the early 1950s, he achieved national recognition in the late 1980s and 1990s for the sketch show Hale and Pace, later expanding into acting roles in sitcoms, drama series and stage productions. Across a career spanning television, radio and theatre, he has collaborated with prominent figures and institutions from British entertainment, including performers, production companies and broadcasters.

Early life and education

Pace was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and grew up amid the cultural milieu of post-war Northern England, attending local schools that connected him to regional institutions and community arts projects. He pursued formal training at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and later at institutions associated with dramatic performance that have ties to West End and British television casting. His formative years placed him in contact with contemporaries and mentors active within Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, and television production hubs in Manchester and London, shaping his interest in sketch comedy, character work and televised performance.

Career with Hale and Pace

Pace partnered with Gareth Hale to form the double act Hale and Pace, emerging from the stand-up and variety circuit which included venues associated with Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Comedy Store (London), and regional arts centres. The duo's eponymous television programme Hale and Pace launched on ITV and was produced by companies linked to Granada Television and independent production houses that supplied content to major broadcasters. The show combined sketch comedy, character pieces and parody, attracting guest appearances and collaborations with actors from series such as Doctor Who, presenters from BBC, and cameo performers known from Coronation Street and other mainstream serials. Hale and Pace also participated in televised specials, charity galas connected to Comic Relief, and variety line-ups that featured performers from Royal Variety Performance bills.

Their television success led to tours in theatres across the UK, appearances on panel and chat programmes on BBC One and ITV1, and participation in televised awards shows involving institutions like the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and industry-led events. The duo's sketches frequently parodied cultural touchstones, film genres and public figures, resulting in broad recognition in broadcast schedules and entertainment journalism.

Solo and other professional work

Following the peak years of the duo, Pace expanded into solo presenting, acting and theatrical work. His television credits include guest roles in sitcoms and drama series produced by broadcasters and production companies affiliated with BBC Television, ITV Studios, and independent drama producers. He has appeared in comedy series alongside performers from Only Fools and Horses, Absolutely Fabulous, and casts drawn from repertory companies associated with Royal Exchange Theatre (Manchester). Pace's theatre work has seen him perform in touring productions linked to West End houses, regional theatres and festivals including staging at venues connected to Sheffield Theatres and touring networks.

On radio he contributed to programmes broadcast by BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4, collaborating with writers and producers who also worked on sitcoms and panel series. Pace has participated in celebrity game shows and reality formats commissioned by Channel 4 and ITV, and engaged in charity fundraising events associated with organisations like Macmillan Cancer Support and national telethons. His screenwriting and sketch contributions have brought him into contact with writers from institutions such as BBC Writersroom and comedy collectives that feed talent into mainstream productions.

Personal life

Pace's personal life has intersected with the cultural life of his native region and with broader entertainment networks in London and across the United Kingdom. He has been involved in community and charitable initiatives, supporting causes linked to arts education and health charities that stage benefit performances and gala events. His social and professional circles include fellow comedians, actors and presenters who trained at or performed with institutions such as Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and companies that supply tours to regional theatres. He maintains ties to Sheffield and Yorkshire cultural organisations and has taken part in local media and fundraising activities.

Awards and recognition

Over his career Pace has received recognition from television and entertainment bodies, including nominations and awards associated with broadcasting institutions and popular-vote ceremonies. His work with Hale and Pace earned industry attention during awards seasons overseen by organisations like British Academy of Film and Television Arts and entertainment press honours. He and his partner featured in polls and lists curated by national newspapers and magazines linked to the broadcasting and theatre sectors, and they were invited to perform at high-profile events such as the Royal Variety Performance, which draws participants from across British entertainment.

Category:English comedians Category:1953 births Category:People from Sheffield