Name Suzanne Paul | Role Television personality | |
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Panel suzanne paul and martin hawes
Suzanne Paul (born Susan Barnes) is an English-born television personality and celebrity in New Zealand, who became famous for her roles as an infomercial hostess and television presenter. She grew up in the working class area of Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, and worked as a sales demonstrator for almost two decades in the United Kingdom. Paul came to New Zealand in 1991, and still has a distinctive English accent. Selling products such as, Massage Pillow and the Suzanne Clip, Paul became a successful businesswoman and millionaire, and in 2006 won the Metro Magazine title of 'Woman with the most integrity'.
Paul had her own television series, Second Honeymoon, Garage Sale and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner which screened on TVNZ, as well as appearing in many other top rating New Zealand television programmes like City Celebrity Country Nobody, Celebrity Treasure Island, How's Life, Outrageous Fortune, Intrepid Journeys, Pulp Sport, Best Bits, What Now, Good Morning since then.
She relaunched herself through her trademark styled infomercials and in June 2007 (aged 50) won and became the oldest champion (in the world) of TVNZ's Dancing With The Stars. In September 2008 Paul published a memoir titled But Wait, There's More. In August 2009 Suzanne launched her own clothing range, Suzanne Paul Petites sizes 8 to 16, for women 5 ft 4 inch and under, and the Short & Sweet range in sizes 6 to 18. In September 2010 she announced plans to set up a fashion shop in Remuera to sell the range.
She is married to Duncan Wilson and a stepmother to three teenagers, Hamish, Rachael and Zoe.
From July to August 2010 Suzanne had a starring role in the Internationally acclaimed stage show, Stepping Out by Richard Harris. The show enjoyed a sell out tour of NZ, travelling from Auckland to the major provincial cities. Performing as Vera Andrews, Suzanne received great praise and reviews from critics for her timing, superb line delivery and showed her new skills as a Tap dancer. She again showed her ability to adapt, having now achieved at the highest level in the entertainment industry in NZ.
In 2011 Suzanne appeared in another Internationally acclaimed stage show "Dirty Dusting" which also achieved tremendous reviews and sold out through the country in more than 20 cities.
In 2016, Suzanne announced her candidacy for the Auckland Mayoralty, having expressed frustration with incumbent mayor Len Brown.