Ray Galton

Q&A: Writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

Fifty years on, the creators of Steptoe and Son explain its enduring appeal as the classic sitcom is revived onstage.

Fifty years on from their first appearance, Albert and 'Arold still form the perfect sitcom duo: bitter, failed and trapped. Paul Jackson looks at the Steptoes' vast comedic influence, in conversation with their creators Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, as well as present-day writers of both comedy and drama.

Paul Jackson, great practical grammarian of British television, on how Alan Simpson and Ray Galton's comedy characters, born on a BBC pilot programme in 1962, ruled the airwaves for 13 years after (with native versions in America, Sweden and Holland) and have influenced other British writers over several generations. Simpson and Galton join him, as do Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks of Birds of a Feather, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor of Red Dwarf, as well as Peter Flannery of Our Friends in the North.

Steptoe and Son's guardian angel woman

The writers of the legendary TV series Steptoe and Son tell Jasper Rees of an extraordinary twist in the life of their comedy creation.

Radio 2 is saluting the best of British talent in their approach to the forthcoming London Olympics. Tonight's fanfare is for the great comedy writing duo of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, from Hancock's Half Hour to Steptoe and Son, their work on radio and TV broke away from the accepted broadcast comedy conventions (sketches, jokes, musical interludes) by developing characters and situations. Here's how they met, who they influenced, with tributes galore not least from presenter Stephen Merchant.

How Galton and Simpson revived their lost movie

They made TV history together and were planning their next film - until Tony Hancock rejected their script. Ray Galton and Alan Simpson reveal why "The Day Off" is now back on.

"Steptoe & Son": A British comedy classic

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the comic geniuses behind one of Britain's greatest situation comedies, talk to Suite 101 about how the show came about.

Comedy legends Galton & Simpson to visit Milton Keynes

Comedy writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson are to visit Milton Keynes to see a stage version of one of their classic shows, Steptoe & Son.

They will be at the opening night at the Chrysalis Theatre in Willen Park after working on the adaptation with David Pibworth from the Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy.

Tony Hancock: The tragic downfall of a genuine one-off

Celebrated writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, talk to Suite 101 about the late actor and discuss why their 10-year association with him came to an end.

Hancock's Half Hour: Galton & Simpson reflect

Suite 101 gets the lowdown on the situation comedy that started it all from Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the men responsible for it.