In The News

Comedy writer John Sullivan passes away

Comedy writer John Sullivan passes away

Tributes have been paid to the comedy writer John Sullivan who has died aged 64.

Mr. Sullivan will be best remembered for the hugely popular TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

The comedy ran for 10 years between 1981 and 1991 with a number of Christmas specials in following years.

Mr. Sullivan created a number of characters and situations which, over the years, found places in the hearts of millions of television viewers. 

The actor David Jason, who starred as Del Boy in the show, once said it was almost “spooky” how John Sullivan could produce such outstanding scripts for the series.

Such was the viewers’ love for the show that Mr. Sullivan found himself under almost relentless pressure to bring back characters in a number of Christmas specials.

His skills for writer were first spotted by his english teacher at school.

After leaving school he was working in a brewery when he and a workmate submitted a script to the BBC. 

Following a rejection letter his friend lost interest, but Mr. Sullivan persevered. He continued to develop ideas and submit scripts – but rejections followed.

He then got a job at the BBC as a scene shifter in an effort to be close to comedy shows.

Eventually he had an opportunity to show a script for a sketch to Ronnie Barker, who commissioned him to write other pieces which were used in the Two Ronnies.

His breakthrough came one day when he handed a script to Dennis Main Wilson, the renowned comedy producer.

Main Wilson liked the idea and commissioned Mr. Sullivan to write what was to be Citizen Smith. 

The BBC gave Mr. Sullivan three months paid leave to produce the scripts, and the rest, as they say, was history.

After the success of Citizen Smith, he wrote Only Fools and Horses, Roger Roger, The Green Green Grass [featuring Only Fools characters Boycie and Marlene] and Rock & Chips, which looks at Del Boy’s early life.

Many tributes have been paid to John Sullivan.

BBC director general Mark Thompson said: “John had a unique gift for turning everyday life and characters we all know into unforgettable comedy”.

The Corporation’s head of comedy Mark Freeland said no one understood what made people laugh and cry better than John Sullivan.

He added: “He was the Dickens of our generation. Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time.”

Mr. Sullivan was appointed O.B.E. in 2005 for his services to drama.

He was married with three children.

 

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