MINEHEAD man Paul Yates wasted no time making his mind up when he was handed the chance to join iconic '80s pop band Bucks Fizz.

Father of three Paul was spotted by Bobby G - the only remaining member of the original line-up of the group that brought the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest title home to the UK - in a Regal Theatre summer show several years ago.

And when Bucks Fizz needed a new member at the start of the year, Bobby remembered 37-year-old Paul's talent.

After two auditions and the thumbs up from other band members Heidi Manton - Bobby's wife - and Tammy Choat, Paul was offered the chance to step into the spotlight.

He will be performing at the band's first gig of the season in Berwick-upon-Tweed tonight (Friday) and will then be on stage at least every Friday and Saturday at venues across the UK until October.

But Paul, who has appeared in numerous drama productions, musicals and panto in Minehead, will have to juggle his new role with family life - and his day job.

Paul will continue to work for supermarket giant Tesco at its Minehead store, where he is currently a 'community champion' - liaising with schools and local groups.

And although he admits there probably will not be enough days in the week to cram in his hectic life, he is thrilled to be taking on the challenge.

"I'm really excited but nervous as well," he told the Free Press earlier this week.

"To be given the opportunity to become a professional performer, to go on tour and perform live with a professional gigging group is just fantastic.

"Tesco have been absolutely brilliant and are allowing me to fit in my 30 hours a week between Monday and Thursday."

Paul and his partner Kirsty Allen have five children between them, with the newest addition to the family, seven-month-old Noah, arriving in the middle of last summer's production of Beauty and the Beast at the Regal.

Paul was playing the part of Gaston, while Kirsty was directing the show, so she is no stranger to the stage.

In fact, it was she who encouraged Paul to audition for Bucks Fizz - even though his success means he will miss her brother's wedding in Romania later this year.

"She's been brilliant. I know I have a lot of commitments and I'll always put my family first," said Paul.

"But this is just such an amazing opportunity, a chance of a lifetime, that I have to give it a go."

Paul has also won the wholehearted backing of his family, with his mum Sheena particularly enthusiastic about his big break.

"She always thought me and my siblings were going to be the next Abba, so she's over the moon.

"This is something I've always wanted to do but I don't think I had the confidence when I was younger.

"I never thought I was good enough. But the first record I bought when I was six years old was Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz - so this must be the right thing for me to do."