Mr. Copley was born 25th November 1944 in Denby Dale, Yorkshire.  He was educated at Penistone Grammar School and Northern Counties College of Education, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Before college he worked at a variety of jobs including lorry and bus driving, traffic and despatch management, and gardening, etc.

After qualifying to teach (ADB and Distinction in Drama), Mr. Copley taught English and Drama in Walthamstow before joining Leeds Playhouse Theatre in Education Company (director, Roger Chapman) as an actor/teacher in 1971.   

Paul Copley and Natasha Pyne were married in 1972.

"As for the other love of my life (not counting those naughty cats) here’s a pic of the model of Triumph Bonneville I owned years ago - not the actual bike but exactly similar – such a beautiful machine – what a colour scheme – (this engine design held the world speed record at that time, achieved on Bonneville Salt Flats of course) – worked night and day to save for it – bought it brand new and achieved my life’s ambition (at the time!!!)" -- Paul Copley