Norman Pace (born 17 February 1953 in Dudley, West Midlands) is an English actor and comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Hale and Pace with his friend and comic partner Gareth Hale. Former teachers, their comedy partnership has fronted several television programmes, most notably Hale and Pace, Pushing Up Daisies, h&p@bbc and Jobs for the Boys.
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He grew up in Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. He attended the Magnus Grammar School (now called the Magnus C of E School). He then went to Avery Hill College, now the Avery Hill Campus of the University of Greenwich, in Eltham where he gained a BEd in 1975.
As straight actors, they also fronted the original TV dramatisation of Dalziel and Pascoe; and in 1989 guest-starred together in the Doctor Who serial Survival. Also in 1989, Hale and Pace won the Golden Rose of Montreux. In 2007 they appeared in the Christmas Special of Extras, called The Extra Special Series Finale, playing themselves.
Recently, Norman Pace has taken a direction towards theatre and has starred in 'Chicago' (Adelphi), 'Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson' and Our Man in Havana at the Nottingham Playhouse. Currently, (summer 2010) he is appearing as the detective in a touring production of Peter Gordon comedy 'Murdered to Death'.
He is also a regular presenter for 'The Open' on the Sky Poker channel.
Norman Pace is a keen poker player himself and has done well in several tournaments. In 2005 he appeared on the celebrity poker chatshow Heads Up with Richard Herring to discuss his career and his love of poker. He has also provided commentary for the PartyPoker.com European Open.
Pace won the Grand Final of the Showbiz Poker event. In the final hand, his A♦ J♣ hole cards started off ahead of Michael Greco's K♦ Q♦, but Greco made two pair on the 8♦ Q♥ K♠ flop. However, the 4♥ 10♣ that followed allowed Pace to complete his straight to win the £25,000 first prize.
Pace has a disabled daughter Holly, he has revealed that he fears for her wellbeing after he and her mother Beverley have died.[1]