He was a prodigiously talented, larger-than-life character on the verge of a potentially immense career as an actor….while at the same time fronting an uproarious Swindon rhythm and blues band.

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) student Paul Cooke also threw his time and energy into teaching hundreds of Swindon children drama and music during the summer holidays.

Tragically, at just 22, self-taught pianist Paul, whose London-based agent described his acting ability as “quite brilliant for his age,” died from a rare form of pancreatitis.

At the time of his death, in September, 1986, representatives of EastEnders were among “some of the best casting people in the business” making enquiries about Paul’s availability.

Now former members of his Swindon band, The Unmistakable Paul Cooke Group are re-forming for a memorial tribute show next week to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.

Also featuring other musicians who regularly jammed with him, the gig is being held on Thursday, September 15 at the Beehive pub, Prospect Hill where a magnificent mural of Paul has adorned a wall for more than 20 years.

Paul’s sister Joanne, a teacher of Stratton said: “We think it’s fantastic that Paul is being remembered in this way. It should be a great and quite an emotional night.”

A former pupil of Rodbourne Cheney and Pinehurst schools, Paul, who also sang with the town’s Kentwood Choir, won a coveted place at RADA during the early 1980s, with the aid of a council grant. During summer breaks from RADA, Paul, who lived in Thames Avenue, Greenmeadow, became involved in workshops at the Wyvern Theatre and at various local schools.

His best pal at RADA was Mark Addy, who went onto star in The Full Monty (he played the chubby one), while fellow student Sean Bean, of Sharpe fame, lived in the flat upstairs.

After leaving RADA in 1985, Paul’s acting career began to take off with small parts in TV shows Casualty and a Very Peculiar Practice.

His big break came in another medical drama, Granada TV’s The Practice, screened in 1985-86, drawing ten million viewers.

It starred Brigit Forsyth, known to millions as Thelma in The Likely Lads, while Paul played “wimpy character” Barry Sutton who sought medical help because his wife was having an affair.

Paul’s part in the series was extended owing to the character’s popularity.

He also had brief roles in the films The Death of Patton, starring George C Scott, and Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire, with Phil Daniels and Alun Armstrong.

Paul landed “a great role” in a film provisionally titled Rhubarb, alongside Julie Walters, Jane Horrocks and David Thewlis.

However, top British director Mike Leigh (Abigail’s Party, Life Is Sweet, Secrets and Lies and 2010’s Another Year) was reluctantly forced to abandon the project.

Speaking after Paul’s death, his agent Alan Turner of Michelle Braidman Associates, London, W1 said: “Paul was developing into a very promising and well-loved character actor.” A hefty lad to say the least, Paul hoped to exploit the lack of well-upholstered thespians on the scene. He was always laughing that Richard Griffiths – quite literally – got all the big parts.

Meanwhile, Paul created a rumpus on Swindon’s live music scene as the piano-pumping, soul-shouting leader of his own band, performing rowdy gigs at pubs and clubs across the town, which attracted its own following of Mods.

The Paul Cooke Memorial Trust was formed by friends in late 1986 to ensure his good work for local youngsters continued. Brigit Forsyth became its patron and attended the launch at the Beehive.

Some £60,000 was raised over seven years, paying for a variety of musical instruments at a string of local schools, and funding summer drama classes in Paul’s name.

Thursday’s show will see – among others – five former members of Paul’s band re-form to pay tribute to the Big Man: Bill King (guitar), Pete Fitzsimmons (bass), Steve Hobbs (sax), Jonny Stephens (guitar) and Pete O’Driscoll (drums). l A 12-page tribute to Paul Cooke will be available free at Thursday night’s show, which starts at around 8.30pm.