English screenwriter and television producer
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours List for his services to Broadcasting and to Drama.
(June 2010) Ampthill, Bedfordshire, England
One of his scripts was accepted by the BBC in 1955. He joined a production company, literally writing scripts to order. With tight deadlines and plots often based on the availability of sets, props or location, he churned out scripts for B films and TV series.
Hw left school at 14. After national service with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, he worked his way up from messenger boy to copywriter at an advertising agency, writing in his spare time.
According to his son Samuel, the last thing he did before he died was to watch an episode of "The Avengers" and his last words were: "I did quite a good job".
Best remembered for his work at ITC in the 1960s and early 70s, especially as writer/producer of "The Avengers" (for which he wrote the pilot in 1961), "The Baron", "The Persuaders" and "Danger Man".
