Ray Galton
Ray Galton

Ray Galton

  • English
  • Actor and writer
  1. 12th October: Missing Hancock's Half Hour with Harry Secombe discovered
Ray Galton. Copyright: Yorkshire Television

Ray Galton OBE was an English writer, best known for his work with Alan Simpson and often cited with creating the modern British sitcom, with Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe And Son their most notable works together. Meeting Simpson aged 18 at a tuberculosis sanatorium in Surrey, the Londoner also enjoyed an extensive career with other writers, including Johnny Speight and John Antrobus.

Year Production Role
2023 Hancock's Half Hour: The Lost Episodes Writer
2022 The Steptoe and Son Radio Show Writer
2022 The Norwegian Hancock Self (Archive Material)
2020 The Missing Hancocks - New Year Resolutions Writer
2019 The Missing Hancocks - Series 5
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Diamond Ring
  2. Special - Christmas in Aldershot
  3. E4 - The Counterfeiter
 Writer
2018 The Day Off Development Writer
2018 Looking For Oil Drum Lane Self (Archive Material)
2018 The Missing Hancocks - Series 4 Writer
2017 The Missing Hancocks - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - A Holiday In France
  2. E2 - The Crown Jewels
  3. E3 - The Racehorse
  4. E4 - A Visit To Swansea
  5. E5 - The Three Sons
 Writer
2016 Lost Sitcoms
View episodes
  1. E2 - Hancock's Half Hour: The New Neighbour
  2. E3 - Steptoe And Son: A Winter's Tale
 Writer
2014 The Missing Hancocks - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E2 - The Newspaper
  2. E3 - The Hancock Festival
  3. E4 - The Breakfast Cereal
 Writer
2014 Comedy Playhouse: Where It All Began Self
2013 My Hero: Ben Miller On Tony Hancock Self
2013 Tony Hancock: From Bournemouth To East Cheam Self
2013 The Many Faces Of... - Series 3
  1. E3 - The Many Faces Of Sid James
 Self
2013 Frankie Howerd: The Lost Tapes Self
2012 Steptoe And Son...And Sons Self
2012 John Howard Davies: A Life In Comedy Self
2010 The Unforgettable... - Series 4
  1. E8 - Spike Milligan
 Self
2009 Very Nearly An Armful - The Galton & Simpson Story Self
2009 Galton & Simpson's Half Hour
View episodes
  1. E1 - You'll Never Walk Alone
  2. E2 - Impasse
  3. E3 - I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds
  4. E4 - The Blood Donor
 Writer
2008 Mark Lawson Talks To Galton And Simpson Self
2007 Larry Stephens: The Man Who Never Was Self
2007 Make 'Em Laugh, Make 'Em Laugh
  1. E1 - The Family, Love 'Em And Hate 'Em
 Self
2007 Laughed Off The Page - Series 1
  1. E3 - Galton & Simpson
 Self
2006 The Ultimate Sitcom Self
2005 The Unknown Hancock Self
2004 The Complete And Utter History Of Hancock's Half Hour Self
2004 Britain's Best Sitcom
  1. E1 - The Launch
 Guest
2003 Associated London Scripts
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
 Self
2000 The Unforgettable... - Series 2
  1. E3 - Sid James
  2. E5 - Frankie Howerd
 Self
1999 Laughter In The House: The Story Of British Sitcom
  1. E1 - The Early Days
 Self
1999 H-H-H-Happy Birthday Hancock Self
1998 The Galton And Simpson Playhouse Writer
1998 A Loose Canon Self
1997 Get Well Soon
  1. E4 - Sons, Mothers, Lovers And Others
 Distinguished Gentleman
1997 Get Well Soon
View episodes
  1. E1 - The New Arrival
  2. E2 - Snowbound
  3. E3 - Tucker's Gambit
  4. E4 - Sons, Mothers, Lovers And Others
  5. E5 - The Whist Drive
  6. E6 - Poison Ivy
 Writer
1997 Paul Merton In Galton & Simpson's... - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Clerical Error
  2. E2 - The Wrong Man
  3. E3 - I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds
  4. E4 - Visiting Day
  5. E5 - The Suit
  6. E6 - Being Sound of Mind
  7. E7 - Lunch in the Park
 Writer
1996 Paul Merton In Galton & Simpson's... - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Twelve Angry Men
  2. E2 - Impasse
  3. E3 - The Radio Ham
  4. E4 - Sealed with a Loving Kiss
  5. E5 - The Missing Page
  6. E6 - Don't Dilly Dally on the Way
  7. E7 - The Lift
  8. E8 - The Bedsitter
 Writer
1990 Frankie Howerd On Campus Writer
1988 Room At The Bottom - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Birthday Party
  2. E2 - The Chef
  3. E3 - Hostage
  4. E4 - Witchcraft
  5. E5 - The Opera Singer
  6. E6 - The Accident
  7. E7 - Megla on the Orient Express
 Writer
1986 Room At The Bottom - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Siege
  2. E2 - The Theatre Tickets
  3. E3 - The German Visitor
  4. E4 - The Big Prize
  5. E5 - A Frame Up
  6. E6 - Winter Schedules
 Writer
1982 Spooner's Patch - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Big Match
  2. E2 - The Lock-Up
  3. E3 - Finders Keepers
  4. E4 - The Sting
  5. E5 - Suffer The Little Children
  6. E6 - Vote Mrs. Cantaford
  7. E7 - Police Intelligence
 Writer
1980 Spooner's Patch - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - High Noon
  2. E2 - Psycho On The Roof
  3. E3 - Spooner's Box
  4. E4 - Drag Net
  5. E5 - Spooner's Thatch
  6. E6 - The Birthday Double
 Writer
1979 Spooner's Patch - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Unwanted Prisoner
  2. E2 - The Morning After
  3. E3 - The Share Out
  4. E4 - The Presentation Clock
  5. E6 - Par For The Course
  6. E5 - The Mayor's Brother
 Writer
1979 The Tea Ladies Writer
1979 Le Petomane Writer
1977 Big Deal At York City Associate Producer
1977 Big Deal At York City Writer
1977 I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds Associate Producer
1977 I Tell You It's Burt Reynolds Writer
1977 Variations On A Theme Associate Producer
1977 Variations On A Theme Writer
1977 Naught For Thy Comfort Associate Producer
1977 Naught For Thy Comfort Writer
1977 Cheers Associate Producer
1977 Cheers Writer
1977 Swap You One Of These For One Of Those Associate Producer
1977 Swap You One Of These For One Of Those Writer
1977 Car Along The Pass Associate Producer
1977 Car Along The Pass Writer
1976 Steptoe And Son - Series 6 Writer
1975 Frankie Howerd's Tittertime Writer
1975 Dawsons Weekly Writer
1974 Holiday With Strings Writer
1974 You'll Never Walk Alone Writer
1974 Steptoe And Son - Series 8
View episodes
  1. E1 - Back In Fashion
  2. E2 - And So To Bed
  3. E3 - Porn Yesterday
  4. E4 - The Seven Steptoerai
  5. E5 - Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs
  6. E6 - Seance In A Wet Reg And Bone Yard
  7. Special - Christmas Special
 Writer
1974 The Last Man On Earth Writer
1974 Steptoe And Son - Series 5 Writer
1973 Bunclarke-With-An-E Writer
1973 Casanova '73
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
  7. E7 - Episode Seven
 Writer
1973 Steptoe And Son Ride Again Writer
1972 Steptoe And Son - Series 7
View episodes
  1. E1 - Men Of Letters
  2. E2 - A Star Is Born
  3. E3 - Oh, What A Beautiful Mourning
  4. E4 - Live Now, PAYE Later
  5. E5 - Loathe Story
  6. E6 - Divided We Stand
  7. E7 - The Desperate Hours
  8. Special - Christmas Special
 Writer
1972 Clochemerle
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Magnificent Idea Of Barthelemy Piechut
  2. E2 - The Triumphant Inaugeration Of A Municipal Amenity
  3. E3 - The Spirited Protest Of Justine Putet
  4. E4 - The Awful Awakening Of Claudius Brodequin
  5. E5 - The Painful Infliction Of Nicholas The Beadle
  6. E6 - The Scandalous Outcome Of A Night Of Destruction
  7. E7 - The Inexorable Power Of The Third Republic
  8. E8 - The Dreaded Arrival Of Captain Tardivaux
  9. E9 - The Glorious Triumph Of Barthelemy Piechut
 Writer (Adapted By)
1972 Steptoe And Son - Series 4 Writer
1972 Steptoe & Son Writer
1971 Up The Chastity Belt Writer
1971 The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins Writer
1971 Frankie Howerd's Hour Writer
1971 Frankie Howerd: The Laughing Stock Of Television Writer
1971 Steptoe And Son - Series 3 Writer
1970 Steptoe And Son - Series 6
View episodes
  1. E1 - Robbery With Violence
  2. E2 - Come Dancing
  3. E3 - Two's Company
  4. E4 - Tea For Two
  5. E5 - Without Prejudice
  6. E6 - Pot Black
  7. E7 - The Three Feathers
  8. E8 - Cuckoo In The Nest
 Writer
1970 Steptoe And Son - Series 5
View episodes
  1. E1 - A Death In The Family
  2. E2 - A Winter's Tale
 Writer
1970 Loot Writer (Adapted By)
1969 The Galton & Simpson Comedy
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Suit
  2. E2 - Friends In High Places
  3. E3 - Never Talk To Strangers
  4. E4 - Don't Dilly Dally On The Way
  5. E5 - Pity Poor Edie Married To Him
  6. E6 - An Extra Bunch Of Daffodils
 Writer
1967 Steptoe And Son - Series 2 Writer
1966 Hancock At The Royal Festival Hall Writer (Additional Material)
1966 Steptoe And Son - Series 1 Writer
1966 Frankie Howerd - Series 2 Writer
1965 Steptoe And Son - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E3 - Those Magnificent Men And Their Heating Machines
 Writer
1964 Frankie Howerd - Series 1 Writer
1964 A Last Word On The Election Writer
1964 Milligan's Wake - Series 1 Writer
1964 Steptoe And Son - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E2 - The Wooden Overcoats
  2. E7 - The Lodger
 Writer
1964 The Bargee Writer
1963 The Wrong Arm Of The Law Writer (Adapted By)
1963 The Handyman Writer
1963 A Clerical Error Writer
1963 Have You Read This Notice? Writer
1963 Impasse Writer
1963 And Here, All The Way From... Writer
1963 Our Man In Moscow Writer
1963 Steptoe And Son - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E5 - A Musical Evening
 Writer
1963 Wish You Were Here! Writer (Additional Material)
1962 Steptoe And Son - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Bird
  2. E2 - The Piano
  3. E3 - The Economist
  4. E4 - The Diploma
  5. E5 - The Holiday
  6. Special - Christmas Night With The Stars
 Writer
1962 The Channel Swimmer Writer
1962 Sealed With A Loving Kiss Writer
1962 Visiting Day Writer
1962 The Status Symbol Writer
1962 The Telephone Call Writer
1962 The Reunion Writer
1962 Steptoe And Son - Comedy Playhouse Writer
1961 The Private Lives Of Edward Whiteley Writer
1961 Lunch In The Park Writer
1961 Clicquot Et Fils Writer
1961 Hancock's Half Hour - Hancock
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Bedsitter
  2. E2 - The Bowmans
  3. E3 - The Radio Ham
  4. E4 - The Lift
  5. E5 - The Blood Donor
  6. E6 - The Succession - Son And Heir
 Writer
1961 The Rebel Story
1961 The Rebel Writer
1960 Citizen James - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Race
  2. E2 - The Elixir
  3. E3 - The Raffle
  4. E4 - The Money
  5. E5 - The Brand Image
  6. Special - Christmas Night With The Stars
  7. E6 - The Rivals
 Writer
1960 Ladies And Gentle-Men Writer
1960 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 6
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Cold
  2. E2 - The Missing Page
  3. E3 - The Emigrant
  4. E4 - The Reunion Party
  5. E5 - Sid In Love
  6. E6 - The Babysitters
  7. E7 - The Ladies' Man
  8. E8 - The Photographer
  9. E9 - The East Cheam Centenary
  10. E10 - The Poison Pen Letters
 Writer
1959 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 5
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Economy Drive
  2. E2 - The Two Murderers
  3. E3 - Lord Byron Lived Here
  4. E4 - Twelve Angry Men
  5. E5 - The Train Journey
  6. E6 - The Cruise
  7. E7 - The Big Night
  8. E8 - The Tycoon
  9. E9 - Spanish Interlude
  10. E10 - Football Pools
 Writer
1958 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E1 - Ericson The Viking
  2. E2 - Underpaid! Or, Grandad's SOS
  3. E3 - The Set That Failed
  4. E4 - The New Nose
  5. E5 - The Flight Of The Red Shadow
  6. E6 - The Horror Serial
  7. E7 - The Italian Maid
  8. E8 - Matrimony - Almost
  9. E9 - The Beauty Contest
  10. E10 - The Wrong Man
  11. E11 - The Oak Tree
  12. E12 - The Knighthood
 Writer
1958 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 4
  1. E5 - The Flight Of The Red Shadow
 Barracker
1958 The April 8th Show (Seven Days Early) Writer
1958 Early To Braden - Series 2 Writer
1957 Hancock's Forty-Three Minutes Writer
1957 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Continental Holiday
  2. E2 - The Great Detective
  3. E3 - The Amusement Arcade
  4. E4 - A Holiday In Scotland
  5. E5 - Air Steward Hancock: The Last Of The Many
  6. E6 - The Regimental Reunion
  7. E7 - The Adopted Family
  8. E8 - The Elocution Teacher
  9. E9 - The Lawyer: The Crown v Sidney James
  10. E10 - Competitions: How To Win Money And Influence People
  11. E11 - There's An Airfield At The Bottom Of My Garden
  12. Special - Hancock's Forty-Three Minutes
 Writer
1957 Early To Braden - Series 1 Writer
1957 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Alpine Holiday
  2. E2 - Lady Chatterley's Revenge
  3. E3 - The Russian Prince
  4. E4 - The New Neighbour
  5. E5 - The Pianist
  6. E6 - The Auction
 Writer
1956 The Tony Hancock Show - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E5 - Episode Five
  2. E6 - Episode Six
 Writer
1956 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 1
  1. E5 - The Radio Show
 Lance-Corporal
1956 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The First TV Show
  2. E2 - The Artist
  3. E3 - The Dancer
  4. E4 - The Bequest
  5. E5 - The Radio Show
  6. E6 - The Chef That Died Of Shame
 Writer
1955 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E10 - The Trial Of Father Christmas
  2. E11 - Cinderella Hancock
  3. E20 - The Test Match
 Writer
1955 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 3
  1. E10 - The Trial Of Father Christmas
 Actor
1955 The Frankie Howerd Show - Series 3 Writer
1955 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - A Holiday In France
  2. E2 - The Crown Jewels
  3. E3 - The Racehorse
  4. E4 - A Visit To Swansea
  5. E6 - The Chef That Died Of Shame
  6. E9 - The Television Set
  7. E10 - The Three Sons
 Writer
1955 The Frankie Howerd Show - Series 2 Writer
1954 Hancock's Half Hour - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The First Night Party
  2. E2 - The Diamond Ring
  3. E3 - The Idol
  4. E4 - The Boxing Champion
  5. E6 - The New Car
  6. E10 - Cinderella Hancock
  7. E11 - A Trip To France
  8. E12 - The Monte Carlo Rally
  9. E13 - A House On The Cliff
  10. E15 - The Marriage Bureau
 Writer
1953 The Frankie Howerd Show - Series 1 Writer

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Ray Galton on IMDb

Born
Thursday 17th July 1930
Died
Friday 5th October 2018 (aged 88)
Full name
Raymond Percy Galton
Title
Ray Galton OBE
Member of
Nationality
English
BAFTA Television Awards 2016
BAFTA Fellowship (Winner)
Chortle Awards 2013
Outstanding Contribution to Comedy (Winner)
British Comedy Awards 1997
Best Writing (Winner)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1972
Best Comedy Screenplay (Winner)
Best TV Comedy (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 1959
Best Scriptwriter (Winner)
 Correct/update this page
BCG Pro

Share this page

Donate to British Comedy Guide

Join us in our mission to support and promote British comedy across the decades.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Get all the latest news and information in your inbox, with our range of email newsletters to meet all interests.