Alan Simpson (scriptwriter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Simpson
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Simpson in 1964
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| Born | Alan Francis Simpson 27 November 1929 Brixton, London, England |
| Died | 8 February 2017 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Scriptwriter |
| Nationality | British |
| Period | 1954–1979 |
| Genre | Television |
| Notable works | Hancock's Half Hour, Hancock (1954–1961) Comedy Playhouse (1961–63, 1974) Steptoe and Son (1962–74) |
| Spouse | Tessa Le Bars |
Alan Francis Simpson (born 27 November 1929, died 8 February 2017) was a famous English writer for TV shows. He was best known for working with Ray Galton. They formed a comedy writing team called Galton and Simpson. Together, they created and wrote many popular British TV comedies.
Their most famous shows include Hancock's Half Hour (from 1954 to 1961) and Steptoe and Son (from 1962 to 1974). They also wrote the first two series of Comedy Playhouse.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Writing
Alan Simpson was born in Brixton, a part of south London. He went to Mitcham County Grammar School for Boys. He loved football and supported two teams: Brentford and Hampton & Richmond Borough. He was even an honorary president for Hampton & Richmond Borough.
After school, he worked as a shipping clerk. He also performed in a church concert group. When he was 17, in 1947, he got sick with tuberculosis. He spent 13 months recovering at Milford Sanatorium near Godalming in Surrey.
Meeting Ray Galton
While at Milford Sanatorium, Alan Simpson met another patient named Ray Galton. Ray was also 17 years old. They quickly became friends because they both loved the same kind of comedy.
After they left the sanatorium, Alan and Ray applied for jobs at the BBC. They got jobs writing short comedy skits for different comedians. Their time broadcasting on hospital radio at the sanatorium even inspired a part of a novel called The Dark Circle.
The Galton and Simpson Partnership
Alan and Ray's big break came when they wrote for a show called Happy Go Lucky. After that, they became the main writers for the famous comedian Tony Hancock. They wrote his popular radio show, Hancock's Half Hour, and his later TV specials.
The duo then created several other successful TV comedy series. These included Comedy Playhouse and the very popular Steptoe and Son. Steptoe and Son was so successful that it was remade in other countries. It became Sanford and Son in America and Albert & Herbert in Sweden.
Many of their works have been brought back to life over the years. For example, Paul Merton revived Hancock's Half Hour for ITV. In 2009, new audio plays called Galton and Simpson's Half Hour were broadcast on BBC Radio 2. This celebrated 60 years of their amazing writing partnership.
Alan and Ray continued to write other comedies and series. Alan Simpson retired from writing in 1978. Even after he retired, he and Ray Galton remained good friends.
Later Life and Recognition
Alan Simpson retired from writing around 1978, when his first wife, Kathleen, passed away. He then focused on business and became a popular speaker at events.
In 2000, he was given an OBE award. This is a special honor in the United Kingdom. On 8 May 2016, Alan and Ray Galton received a BAFTA Fellowship. This award recognized their huge contributions to comedy.
Alan Simpson passed away on 8 February 2017, at the age of 87. He died due to a lung disease. After his death, his wife, Tessa Le Bars, shared how much she valued their time together. She had worked with Alan and Ray for over 50 years.
To honor his memory, BBC Two broadcast the Steptoe and Son episode "Divided We Stand" on 11 February 2017.
