Dennis’ delight at daughter in the spotlight

A 96-year-old Slough care home resident’s wish to see his actress daughter perform on stage again after five years has come true.

Dennis Belcher had been unable to see his daughter, Lyn Paul on stage due to health challenges and his care home on Wexham Road was determined to make his dream to see her perform again a reality.

Lyn is a former member of The New Seekers, and has landed chart-topping hits, featured on many UK soaps, and played the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in the West End.

Her most recent role is in Calendar Girls The Musical, which played at Windsor’s Theatre Royal in March.

In his younger days, Dennis spent much of his time travelling the world to support his daughter and said: “I’ve been watching my daughter perform on stage since she was a small child and am very proud of her and what she has achieved.”

Lyn worked with the team at Care UK’s Oak House to organise a surprise visit for Dennis and his friends to see her perform at the Windsor theatre on March 14. After watching her performance, he also spent time with the cast.

Dennis said: “I enjoyed watching her solo in the show, and telling my friends at Oak House that it was my daughter on stage – it felt good to have them there.”

Oak House home manager Agnieszka Klimkowicz-Buda said: “Since welcoming Dennis to Oak House in August 2023, we have all heard him proudly speak about Lyn and how much he wanted to see her perform again – so we knew we had to make it happen.

“Dennis has seen every show she has been in, and has been her biggest supporter since she started out as a performer at just 14 years old. He used to chaperone her in her teenage years, and has spent his life travelling the country, and the world, to see her perform to audiences across the globe.

“We’ve been working hard to increase Dennis’ mobility and find a way to make his dream come true. When we learnt that Lyn was coming to Windsor, we knew it was the perfect opportunity.

“Dennis loved taking his friends and team members from Oak House along, sharing his memories and telling everyone all about Lyn’s wonderful career. He was brimming with pride, and he’s had a huge smile on his face ever since.”