Paul Dockery appeared as a Court Usher in Coronation Street in January 2007 and April 2008. He also appeared in the BBC film Shiny Shiny Bright New Hole in My Heart in 2006 as a solictor.
In real life he is a retired barrister who became involved in the programme in 2003 when he contacted Granada to point out several legal discrepancies in the storyline involving Les Battersby's trial and imprisonment for his assault on Mick Hopwood. Granada asked him to scrutinise the scripts and filming for further legal storylines in the show and, as he was on set, he also took part as an extra sat in the public gallery for court scenes. He earned "promotion" in 2007 to a speaking role as "Neil, the usher" and in 2010 appeared as a Crown Court Clerk during the trial of Gail McIntyre for murder.