The partnership of British comedy scriptwriters Ray Galton and Alan Simpson lasted over 50 years. They met in 1948 whilst recuperating from tuberculosis at the Milford Sanatorium, near Godalming in Surrey.
They are best known for their work with comedian Tony Hancock on radio and television between 1954 and 1961 and their long-running television situation comedy, Steptoe and Son, which aired between 1962 and 1974.
After their association with Hancock ended, they wrote a series of Comedy Playhouse plays for the BBC, one of which – The Offer – formed the basis of Steptoe and Son which then also spawned the American series Sanford and Son (and the Swedish series Albert & Herbert).
Their other writing credits include Citizen James, Mr Aitch, the movie The Bargee, the Frankie Howerd tv series (1964 – 1966), Clochemerle, Casanova ’73, The Galton & Simpson Playhouse, Spooner’s Patch, Room at the Bottom and Get Well Soon.
Alan Simpson OBE died on 8 February 2017. Ray Galton OBE passed away on 5 October 2018.