Paul Leonard Hawkyard (born 1967 in Leeds) appeared on Coronation Street in two roles: firstly between July and August 2000 as Paul Beck, boss of Radio Weatherfield where Toyah Battersby was assigned on a work experience programme; and he returned to the programme eighteen years later in March 2018 as Frank, the foreman of the Legacy Reach Paper Mill development.
Best known for his role of Ernie Starboard in the BBC children's series Old Jack's Boat from 2013 to 2015 and its sequel Old Jack's Boat: Rockpool Tales, his other credits include roles in May to December, The Knock, London's Burning, EastEnders, Heartbeat, The Bill, Doctors, Holby City, Scoop, Emmerdale and All Creatures Great and Small, along with the films Everybody Loves Sunshine, War Horse and Upgraded.
On stage, he appeared in productions of South Pacific, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Jesus Christ Superstar, Birdsong and Dear World.
He is also affiliated with the Peploe Williams Academy, a professional performing arts training facility based in North Buckinghamshire.