Sydney Lotterby facts for kids

Sydney Warren Lotterby was a talented British television producer and director. He was known for creating many popular comedy shows for the BBC. He was also awarded an OBE, which is a special honor from the King or Queen of the United Kingdom. Sydney Lotterby lived from 1926 to 2020.

Sydney Lotterby's Early Life and Career

Sydney Lotterby was born in Paddington, London, England, on November 30, 1926. His parents were Winifred and Sidney Lotterby. He grew up in a place called Edgware, which is also in London.

Starting at the BBC

When Sydney was 14 years old, he left school in 1941. He started working at the BBC, which is a big broadcasting company. His first job was as a storekeeper in the electrical department. After that, he worked in the sound control room for BBC Radio.

Serving His Country and Returning to TV

From 1946 to 1948, Sydney served in the British Army. This was part of his national service. After his time in the army, he came back to the BBC. He became a cameraman, learning how to film shows. Later, he moved up to become a technical manager.

In 1958, Sydney joined the BBC's Entertainment Department. This was a big step towards his dream job. By 1963, he became a producer and director. This meant he was in charge of making television shows.

Personal Life and Later Years

Sydney Lotterby married Marcia Dos Santos in 1997. He continued to work in television for many years. Sydney Lotterby passed away on July 28, 2020, when he was 93 years old.

Sydney Lotterby's Amazing TV Shows

Sydney Lotterby produced or directed many famous British comedy series. He helped bring laughter to millions of homes. His work made these shows very popular.

Popular Comedy Series He Worked On

Some of the well-known TV shows he worked on include:

• As Time Goes By
• May to December
• Last of the Summer Wine
• Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister
• Ever Decreasing Circles
• Brush Strokes
• Open All Hours
• Butterflies
• Porridge
• Going Straight
• The Liver Birds
• Up Pompeii!

These shows are still loved by many people today. They are a big part of British television history.

The "Sydney Lotterbies" Sketch

Sydney Lotterby's name was even used in a comedy sketch! In a show called At Last The 1948 Show, there was a funny sketch. It featured four men who all looked exactly alike and were all named Sydney Lotterby. The famous comedian John Cleese wrote this sketch because he liked the name. The four men were played by John Cleese, Marty Feldman, Tim Brooke-Taylor, and Graham Chapman. John Cleese also used the name for a character in the movie Fierce Creatures (1997).

Awards and Recognition

Sydney Lotterby was recognized for his excellent work in television. He won several important awards.

BAFTA Awards

He won four BAFTA awards for comedy. BAFTA awards are very prestigious in the British film and television industry. He won for shows like:

• Porridge (and a special award in 1975)
• Going Straight (in 1978)
• Yes Minister (in 1980)

He was also nominated for 11 more BAFTA awards, showing how highly regarded his work was.

Order of the British Empire (OBE)

In 1994, Sydney Lotterby was appointed an OBE. This honor is given to people who have made a great contribution to their field. It shows how much his work in television was valued.