Accident claims the life of the creator of The Now Show, Dead Ringers and more

Comedy producer Bill Dare – the creator of Radio 4’s Now Show and Dead Ringers – has died in a caraccident abroad at the age of 64.

No further details have been revealed about the circumstances of what happened to the powerhouse behind so much of Radio 4's comedy output.

Dead Ringers star Jon Culshaw wrote on social media: ‘It’s impossible to express the unreal sense of loss at the passing of the incredible Bill Dare. The wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend.… We shall all miss him more than we can say.’

The son of actor Peter Jones, who voiced The Book in original Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy,  Dare started his career by by devising The Mary Whitehouse Experience, which brought together David Baddiel, Rob Newman, Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.

Baddiel last night called him ‘an amazing creative force’, adding: ‘I owe him much.  RIP.’

Dare’s other radio credits include the Marcus Brigstocke format I've Never Seen Star Wars and the satirical Brian Gulliver's Travels, which was also turned into a novel. His latest project, The Island, imagines castaways from Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, including star Stephen Mangan, fighting for survival, Lord Of The Flies-style, on the isolated site and is partway through its run. 

On TV, he also produced eight series of ITV's Spitting Image.

In a statement, the JFL Agency, which represented Dare, said: ‘Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none. 

‘He made Dead Ringers into a national institution for the BBC, due to mark its 25th anniversary this year. But Bill's creativity was unbounded - sketch shows, sitcoms, entertainment formats, novels, stage shows - he created them all and brought great pleasure to an untold number of viewers and listeners. 

‘He was also a great champion of talent, both writing and performing, and he will be remembered for working with the best of his generation at the same time as creating opportunities for the next.’

Julia McKenzie, comedy commissioner for BBC Radio 4 also paid tribute. 

She said: ‘I am so terribly sorry to hear this tragic news and my thoughts are with Bill's wife, family and friends. Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows.

‘Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing. 

‘He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you'd see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show. 

‘Dead Ringers was on air over many momentous political events, including several general elections and Brexit, which always necessitated writing overnight, and every time he nailed the comedy but also the emotional dimension which made a lot of his satire so powerful. 

‘He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky. I've known and worked with him for 18 years and like many I can't believe he has gone, he will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts.’

Richard Morris, creative director of comedy at BBC Studios Audio added: ‘Bill was a legendary figure in the comedy world and we, his friends and colleagues in radio will miss him hugely. 

‘Not only did he create and develop so many of Radio 4's most popular comedy shows - from The Now Show to Dead Ringers - but he was also a great source of creative encouragement to so many new writers and performers who he supported taking their first steps in the industry. We'll miss the sharp wit and wisdom he brought to every production he worked on.’

Dare is survived by his wife of five years, Lucy, and daughter Rebecca.

More tributes to Bill Dare

Armando Iannucci: 'As a nervous writer I came down from Glasgow to shadow radio comedy for a week.I was put in the hands of a funny, smart and idiosyncratic producer who was generous with his time, wise in his advice and very happy to show me the ropes. They were extremely good ropes because the producer was Bill Dare.'

Marcus Brigstocke: 'Bill & I made wonderful things together. I’ve Never Seen Star Wars & The Late Edition. He made me better at what I do. He was patient, trusting & helped me find confidence as a presenter. We laughed a lot. I am so sad to hear he has gone. Sending love to Bill’s family & to our friends.'

Angela Barnes: 'Any Radio 4 and comedy nerds will have heard the name Bill Dare in programme credits more than almost anyone else. What terribly sad news today. Sending love to all his family, friends and colleagues.'

Mark Thomas: 'Really sad to hear we have lost Bill Dare, worked with him on the Mary Whitehouse Experience. He was funny and he was kind and that is about as good as it gets.'

Tracy-Ann Oberman: ‘Devastated to hear about the death of #BIllDare. My entire comedy career was down to Bill. When I was on the  rep company early on in [my] career. I ran into Bill in the corridors. He asked if I was good at accents. I said yes. He cast me in a sketch show. I had to do about 15 different accents. We recorded in front of a live audience at Broadcasting House - afterwards Bill said, "Why have I never met you? You’re going to have a big career." He was incredibly loyal and supportive and really opened a path for me into the R4 comedy world and then TV. I will always be grateful.’

Radio comedy producer Ed Morrish: 'Shocked to hear about Bill Dare. He made an immeasurable contribution to radio comedy over the last thirty years.'

Comedy writer Pete Sinclair: ‘I am utterly devastated by Bill's death. I still can't believe it. He was a comedy genius. A hugely talented writer as well as a brilliant producer. A close friend and co-writer. I cannot begin to say how much I'll miss him.’

Writer and actor Julian Dutton: ‘Devastating news. Bill started me off in radio years ago when I walked into the BBC, handed him a bunch of comedy sketches, he said 'these are brilliant,' and put them on the show. Co-wrote many shows with him over the years, right until last year. I owe him a lot.'

Author Justin Lewis‬: 'What Bill Dare pioneered on The Mary Whitehouse Experience was about pace. In 1989, radio comedy got that bit faster: how to capture a recording session with all its drama and ad libs, but only retain the highlights. And using dance music for stings. An enormously influential mind. RIP Bill Dare.'

Published: 4 Mar 2025