BBC's former head of comedy dies

The BBC’s former head of comedy, Gareth Gwenlan, has died at the age of 79.

As a commissioner, he was responsible for bringing Blackadder, Yes Prime Minister, Allo Allo and One Foot In The Grave to our screens.  Although he also admitted to mistakes – such as thinking Richard Wilson was not right for the role of Victor Meldrew or turning down Red Dwarf

Other commissions during his tenure as head of comedy from 1983 to 1990 were Bread, Birds Of A Feather and Keeping Up Appearances – and during that time his department won the best comedy Bafta every year.

And as a producer, he worked on Only Fools And Horses, The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin and To The Manor Born.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2013 Birthday Honours for his services to broadcasting.

BBC Wales controller Rhodri Talfan Davies called him ‘quite simply one of Britain’s finest comedy producers’, ‘a pioneer’ and ‘a perfectionist’. And he tweeted: 'What finer legacy than to know you brought happiness to millions.'

Sue Holderness, who played Marlene in Only Fools, tweeted: ‘So sad to hear about Gareth Gwenlan – such a big part of my professional life.’

Published: 9 May 2016