Credits include Harry Enfield & My Hero

TV comedy director John Stroud has died of a brain tumour at the age of 54.

The former Cambridge Footlights member learned his craft in the children’s department of Thames Television, before making his name with Channel 4’s first late-night sketch show, Who Dares Wins, which featured the likes of Rory McGrath and Tony Robinson.

Other early credits include Spitting Image, the Roman sitcom Chelmsford 123, Angus Deayton sketch show KYTV and Packet of Three, a fusion of stand-up and sitcom which starred Frank Skinner and Jenny Eclair.

Bigger successes included Harry Enfield And Chums and Game On, while one of his most enduring shows was the Ardal O’Hanlon sitcom My Hero, which ran for 44 episodes.

Stroud is survived by his wife and a son and daughter.

Published: 25 Aug 2009