Alan Simpson (scriptwriter) - Revision history

Kurt at 17:05, 6 February 2023

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	~~{{EngvarB\|date=November 2017}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2020}}~~
	{{Infobox writer		{{Infobox writer
	\| name = Alan Simpson		\| name = Alan Simpson
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	==External links==		==External links==
	*{{IMDb name\|0800882\|Alan Simpson}}		*{{IMDb name\|0800882\|Alan Simpson}}
	* {{British Comedy Guide\|people\|alan_simpson}}		*{{British Comedy Guide\|people\|alan_simpson}}

	{{Galton and Simpson}}		{{Galton and Simpson}}

Kurt at 17:01, 20 October 2022

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	\| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|OBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|OBE}}
	\| image = Alan Simpson (scriptwriter).webp		\| image = Alan Simpson (scriptwriter).webp
	\| caption = ~~Simpson in 1964~~		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = Alan Francis Simpson		\| birth_name = Alan Francis Simpson
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1929\|11\|27}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1929\|11\|27}}

Kurt at 16:29, 20 October 2022

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	}}		}}

	'''Alan Francis Simpson''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}} (27 November 1929 – 8 February 2017) was an English scriptwriter, best known for the [[Galton and Simpson]] comedy writing partnership with [[Ray Galton]]. Together they devised and wrote the [[BBC]] [[w:British sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1954–1961), the first two series of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–1963), and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–1974).		'''Alan Francis Simpson''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}} (27 November 1929 – 8 February 2017) was an English scriptwriter, best known for the [[Galton and Simpson]] comedy writing partnership with [[Ray Galton]]. Together they devised and wrote the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] [[w:British sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1954–1961), the first two series of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–1963), and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–1974).

	==Early life==		==Early life==

Kurt at 16:03, 20 October 2022

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	}}		}}

	'''Alan Francis Simpson''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}} (27 November 1929 – 8 February 2017) was an English scriptwriter, best known for the [[Galton and Simpson]] comedy writing partnership with [[Ray Galton]]. Together they devised and wrote the [[BBC]] [[British sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1954–1961), the first two series of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–1963), and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–1974).		'''Alan Francis Simpson''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}} (27 November 1929 – 8 February 2017) was an English scriptwriter, best known for the [[Galton and Simpson]] comedy writing partnership with [[Ray Galton]]. Together they devised and wrote the [[BBC]] [[w:British sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1954–1961), the first two series of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–1963), and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–1974).

	==Early life==		==Early life==

Kurt at 16:03, 20 October 2022

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	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
	*{{Marriage\|Kathleen\|<!-- unknown -->\|1978\|end=d.}}		*{{Marriage\|Kathleen\|<!-- unknown -->\|1978\|end=d.}}
	*{{Marriage\|Tessa Le Bars\|<!-- unknown -->\|~~<!-- unknown -->~~}}		*{{Marriage\|Tessa Le Bars\|<!-- unknown -->\|2017}}
	\| relatives =		\| relatives =
	}}		}}

Kurt: /* Early life */

2022-10-20T16:02:43Z

Early life

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 20 October 2022
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Simpson was born in [[w:Brixton]], [[w:south London]], and was educated at [[w:Mitcham, London\|Mitcham]] County Grammar School for Boys. He was a [[w:Association football\|football]] fan and supported [[w:Brentford F.C.\|Brentford]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/steptoe-and-son-hancocks-half-hour-alan-simpson-dies-3564791.aspx\|title=Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half-Hour writer and Brentford FC fan Alan Simpson died today\|last=Brett\|first=Ciaran\|access-date=8 February 2017\|language=en}}</ref> After leaving school he worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of a church concert party. He contracted [[w:tuberculosis\|tuberculosis]] aged 17 in 1947 and was admitted to [[w:Milford Hospital\|Milford Sanatorium]] near [[w:Godalming\|Godalming]] in Surrey, where he spent 13 months.<ref name=independent>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-ray-galton-alan-simpson-1219717.html How we met, Alan Simpson at The Independent]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=independent2>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/galton-and-simpson-grumpy-old-men-1360341.html Galton and Simpson Grumpy Old Men]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/05/ray-galton-and-alan-simpson-interview-there-never-was-a-golden-a/ Galton and Simpson interview at The Telegraph]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>		Simpson was born in [[w:Brixton\|Brixton]], [[w:south London\|south London]], and was educated at [[w:Mitcham, London\|Mitcham]] County Grammar School for Boys. He was a [[w:Association football\|football]] fan and supported [[w:Brentford F.C.\|Brentford]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/steptoe-and-son-hancocks-half-hour-alan-simpson-dies-3564791.aspx\|title=Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half-Hour writer and Brentford FC fan Alan Simpson died today\|last=Brett\|first=Ciaran\|access-date=8 February 2017\|language=en}}</ref> After leaving school he worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of a church concert party. He contracted [[w:tuberculosis\|tuberculosis]] aged 17 in 1947 and was admitted to [[w:Milford Hospital\|Milford Sanatorium]] near [[w:Godalming\|Godalming]] in Surrey, where he spent 13 months.<ref name=independent>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-ray-galton-alan-simpson-1219717.html How we met, Alan Simpson at The Independent]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=independent2>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/galton-and-simpson-grumpy-old-men-1360341.html Galton and Simpson Grumpy Old Men]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/05/ray-galton-and-alan-simpson-interview-there-never-was-a-golden-a/ Galton and Simpson interview at The Telegraph]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>

	==Galton and Simpson==		==Galton and Simpson==

Kurt at 16:02, 20 October 2022

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← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 20 October 2022
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	\| name = Alan Simpson		\| name = Alan Simpson
	\| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|OBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|OBE}}
	\| image = Alan Simpson (scriptwriter).~~jpg~~		\| image = Alan Simpson (scriptwriter).webp
	\| caption = Simpson in 1964		\| caption = Simpson in 1964
	\| birth_name = Alan Francis Simpson		\| birth_name = Alan Francis Simpson
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1929\|11\|27}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1929\|11\|27}}
	\| birth_place = [[Brixton]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[w:Brixton\|Brixton]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|df=yes\|2017\|02\|08\|1929\|11\|27}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|df=yes\|2017\|02\|08\|1929\|11\|27}}
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
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	\| genre = Television		\| genre = Television
	\| notableworks = ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''Hancock'' (1954–1961)<br>''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–63, 1974)<br>''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–74)		\| notableworks = ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''Hancock'' (1954–1961)<br>''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–63, 1974)<br>''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–74)
	\| spouse = Tessa Le Bars		\| spouse =
			*{{Marriage\|Kathleen\|<!-- unknown -->\|1978\|end=d.}}
			*{{Marriage\|Tessa Le Bars\|<!-- unknown -->\|<!-- unknown -->}}
	\| relatives =		\| relatives =
	}}		}}
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Simpson was born in [[Brixton]], [[south London]], and was educated at [[Mitcham, London\|Mitcham]] County Grammar School for Boys. He was a [[Association football\|football]] fan and supported [[Brentford F.C.\|Brentford]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/steptoe-and-son-hancocks-half-hour-alan-simpson-dies-3564791.aspx\|title=Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half-Hour writer and Brentford FC fan Alan Simpson died today\|last=Brett\|first=Ciaran\|access-date=8 February 2017\|language=en}}</ref> After leaving school he worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of a church concert party. He contracted [[tuberculosis]] aged 17 in 1947 and was admitted to [[Milford Hospital\|Milford Sanatorium]] near [[Godalming]] in Surrey, where he spent 13 months.<ref name=independent>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-ray-galton-alan-simpson-1219717.html How we met, Alan Simpson at The Independent]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=independent2>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/galton-and-simpson-grumpy-old-men-1360341.html Galton and Simpson Grumpy Old Men]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/05/ray-galton-and-alan-simpson-interview-there-never-was-a-golden-a/ Galton and Simpson interview at The Telegraph]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>		Simpson was born in [[w:Brixton]], [[w:south London]], and was educated at [[w:Mitcham, London\|Mitcham]] County Grammar School for Boys. He was a [[w:Association football\|football]] fan and supported [[w:Brentford F.C.\|Brentford]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/steptoe-and-son-hancocks-half-hour-alan-simpson-dies-3564791.aspx\|title=Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half-Hour writer and Brentford FC fan Alan Simpson died today\|last=Brett\|first=Ciaran\|access-date=8 February 2017\|language=en}}</ref> After leaving school he worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of a church concert party. He contracted [[w:tuberculosis\|tuberculosis]] aged 17 in 1947 and was admitted to [[w:Milford Hospital\|Milford Sanatorium]] near [[w:Godalming\|Godalming]] in Surrey, where he spent 13 months.<ref name=independent>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-ray-galton-alan-simpson-1219717.html How we met, Alan Simpson at The Independent]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=independent2>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/galton-and-simpson-grumpy-old-men-1360341.html Galton and Simpson Grumpy Old Men]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/05/ray-galton-and-alan-simpson-interview-there-never-was-a-golden-a/ Galton and Simpson interview at The Telegraph]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>

	==Galton and Simpson==		==Galton and Simpson==
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	\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008204817/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/hippodrome/Roy.htm		\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008204817/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/hippodrome/Roy.htm
	\|archive-date=8 October 2006		\|archive-date=8 October 2006
	}}</ref> they became writers for [[Tony Hancock]], including the ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' radio show and Hancock's later television specials.<ref name=independent/> Subsequently, the pair wrote several comedy series for television, including ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]''.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36249956\|title=Obituary: Alan Simpson\|date=8 February 2017\|work=BBC News \|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> The latter became the basis for the American series ''[[Sanford and Son]]''<ref>{{cite news \|last=Gibson \|first=Owen \|title=British comedy remakes that aim to bring a smile to the US \|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1816814,00.html \|date=10 July 2006 \|newspaper=The Guardian \|access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref> and the Swedish series ''[[Albert & Herbert]]''.<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Orh6CgAAQBAJ&pg=PP18\|title=The Steptoe and Son Quiz Book\|first=Mark\|last=McCaighey\|date=12 August 2015\|publisher=Andrews UK Limited\|isbn=9781785382130}}</ref> Many of their works were re-adopted for later production, such as the [[Paul Merton]] revival of the ''Hancock's Half Hour'' for [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]],<ref name=bbc/> and the 2009 audio plays ''Galton and Simpson's Half Hour'' broadcast on [[BBC Radio 2]] to celebrate the team's 60th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/comedy/galtonsimpson.shtml\|title=BBC – Radio 2 Comedy – Galton and Simpson's Half Hour\|last=BBC\|publisher=BBC\|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref>		}}</ref> they became writers for [[Tony Hancock]], including the ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' radio show and Hancock's later television specials.<ref name=independent/> Subsequently, the pair wrote several comedy series for television, including ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]''.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36249956\|title=Obituary: Alan Simpson\|date=8 February 2017\|work=BBC News \|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> The latter became the basis for the American series ''[[Sanford and Son]]''<ref>{{cite news \|last=Gibson \|first=Owen \|title=British comedy remakes that aim to bring a smile to the US \|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1816814,00.html \|date=10 July 2006 \|newspaper=The Guardian \|access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref> and the Swedish series ''[[Albert & Herbert]]''.<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Orh6CgAAQBAJ&pg=PP18\|title=The Steptoe and Son Quiz Book\|first=Mark\|last=McCaighey\|date=12 August 2015\|publisher=Andrews UK Limited\|isbn=9781785382130}}</ref> Many of their works were re-adopted for later production, such as the [[Paul Merton]] revival of the ''Hancock's Half Hour'' for [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]],<ref name=bbc/> and the 2009 audio plays ''Galton and Simpson's Half Hour'' broadcast on [[w:BBC Radio 2\|BBC Radio 2]] to celebrate the team's 60th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/comedy/galtonsimpson.shtml\|title=BBC – Radio 2 Comedy – Galton and Simpson's Half Hour\|last=BBC\|publisher=BBC\|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref>

	Galton and Simpson continued to write for other one-off comedies and series until Simpson's retirement in 1978,<ref name=bafta/> after which the two remained in contact.<ref name=independent/>		Galton and Simpson continued to write for other one-off comedies and series until Simpson's retirement in 1978,<ref name=bafta/> after which the two remained in contact.<ref name=independent/>

	==Later life==		==Later life==
	Simpson retired from scriptwriting in 1978 around the time Kathleen, his first wife, died. He then concentrated on business interests and becoming an after dinner speaker.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Barker\|first=Dennis\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/feb/08/alan-simpson-obituary\|title=Alan Simpson obituary\|work=The Guardian\|date=8 February 2017\|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> He was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire\|OBE]] in 2000, and he and Galton received a [[BAFTA Fellowship]] on 8 May 2016 for their comedic contributions.<ref name=bafta>[http://www.bafta.org/television/awards/ray-galton-alan-simpson-bafta-fellowship-in-2016 BAFTA fellowship 2016 Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>		Simpson retired from scriptwriting in 1978 around the time Kathleen, his first wife, died. He then concentrated on business interests and becoming an after dinner speaker.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Barker\|first=Dennis\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/feb/08/alan-simpson-obituary\|title=Alan Simpson obituary\|work=The Guardian\|date=8 February 2017\|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> He was appointed an [[w:Officer of the Order of the British Empire\|OBE]] in 2000, and he and Galton received a [[w:BAFTA Fellowship\|BAFTA Fellowship]] on 8 May 2016 for their comedic contributions.<ref name=bafta>[http://www.bafta.org/television/awards/ray-galton-alan-simpson-bafta-fellowship-in-2016 BAFTA fellowship 2016 Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>

	Simpson died on 8 February 2017, as a result of [[lung disease]], at the age of 87. After his death, his wife Tessa Le Bars said: "Having had the privilege of working with Alan and Ray for over 50 years, the last 40 as agent, business manager and friend, and latterly as Alan's companion and carer, I am deeply saddened to lose Alan after a brave battle with lung disease."<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38906672\|title=Steptoe writer Alan Simpson dies\|date=2017-02-08\|access-date=2019-08-28\|language=en-GB}}</ref>		Simpson died on 8 February 2017, as a result of [[w:lung disease\|lung disease]], at the age of 87. After his death, his wife Tessa Le Bars said: "Having had the privilege of working with Alan and Ray for over 50 years, the last 40 as agent, business manager and friend, and latterly as Alan's companion and carer, I am deeply saddened to lose Alan after a brave battle with lung disease."<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38906672\|title=Steptoe writer Alan Simpson dies\|date=2017-02-08\|access-date=2019-08-28\|language=en-GB}}</ref>

	On 11 February 2017 [[BBC Two]] broadcast the ''Steptoe and Son'' episode "Divided We Stand" in his memory.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009j5xn\|title=Steptoe and Son – BBC One\|publisher=.bbc.co.uk\|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref>		On 11 February 2017 [[w:BBC Two\|BBC Two]] broadcast the ''Steptoe and Son'' episode "Divided We Stand" in his memory.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009j5xn\|title=Steptoe and Son – BBC One\|publisher=.bbc.co.uk\|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
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	{{Galton and Simpson}}		{{Galton and Simpson}}
	~~{{BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award}}~~

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Alan}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Alan}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-07-21T14:34:13Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:34, 21 July 2022
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en>DavidFarmbrough: /* Later life */ added her name

2022-06-29T20:09:33Z

Later life: added her name

New page

{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Alan Simpson
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|OBE}}
| image = Alan Simpson (scriptwriter).jpg
| caption = Simpson in 1964
| birth_name = Alan Francis Simpson
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1929|11|27}}
| birth_place = [[Brixton]], London, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2017|02|08|1929|11|27}}
| death_place =
| occupation = Scriptwriter
| nationality = British
| period = 1954–1979
| genre = Television
| notableworks = ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''Hancock'' (1954–1961)<br>''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–63, 1974)<br>''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–74)
| spouse = Tessa Le Bars
| relatives =
}}

'''Alan Francis Simpson''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} (27 November 1929 – 8 February 2017) was an English scriptwriter, best known for the [[Galton and Simpson]] comedy writing partnership with [[Ray Galton]]. Together they devised and wrote the [[BBC]] [[British sitcom|sitcom]] ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1954–1961), the first two series of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' (1961–1963), and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' (1962–1974).

==Early life==
Simpson was born in [[Brixton]], [[south London]], and was educated at [[Mitcham, London|Mitcham]] County Grammar School for Boys. He was a [[Association football|football]] fan and supported [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/steptoe-and-son-hancocks-half-hour-alan-simpson-dies-3564791.aspx|title=Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half-Hour writer and Brentford FC fan Alan Simpson died today|last=Brett|first=Ciaran|access-date=8 February 2017|language=en}}</ref> After leaving school he worked as a shipping clerk and was a member of a church concert party. He contracted [[tuberculosis]] aged 17 in 1947 and was admitted to [[Milford Hospital|Milford Sanatorium]] near [[Godalming]] in Surrey, where he spent 13 months.<ref name=independent>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-ray-galton-alan-simpson-1219717.html How we met, Alan Simpson at The Independent]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=independent2>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/galton-and-simpson-grumpy-old-men-1360341.html Galton and Simpson Grumpy Old Men]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref><ref name=telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/05/ray-galton-and-alan-simpson-interview-there-never-was-a-golden-a/ Galton and Simpson interview at The Telegraph]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>

==Galton and Simpson==
{{main|Galton and Simpson}}
While at the Milford Sanatorium, Simpson was housed with fellow patient [[Ray Galton]], also 17 at the time. The two found they shared similar tastes in comedy, and quickly became friends. After leaving the sanatorium, they jointly applied and got jobs at the [[BBC]], writing sketches for its various comedians.<ref name=independent/> One of the plotlines in [[Linda Grant]]'s 2016 novel ''[[The Dark Circle]]'' was based on Simpson's experience of broadcasting on hospital radio with Galton during their time at the sanatorium and its role in their subsequent careers.<ref name="The Dark Circle">{{cite book| author-last1= Grant | author-first1= Linda | author-link1= Linda Grant| title= The Dark Circle | date= 3 November 2016| publisher= [[Virago Press|Virago]]| isbn= 978-0349006758| page= 309 }}</ref>

Following their break with the [[Derek Roy (comedian)|Derek Roy]] vehicle ''Happy Go Lucky'',<ref name="Hippodrome">{{cite web
|last=Flanagan
|first=Barry
|title=Derek Roy
|publisher=Memories of the Hippodrome
|url=http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/hippodrome/Roy.htm
|access-date=3 February 2009
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008204817/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/hippodrome/Roy.htm
|archive-date=8 October 2006
}}</ref> they became writers for [[Tony Hancock]], including the ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' radio show and Hancock's later television specials.<ref name=independent/> Subsequently, the pair wrote several comedy series for television, including ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' and ''[[Steptoe and Son]]''.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36249956|title=Obituary: Alan Simpson|date=8 February 2017|work=BBC News |access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> The latter became the basis for the American series ''[[Sanford and Son]]''<ref>{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=Owen |title=British comedy remakes that aim to bring a smile to the US |url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1816814,00.html |date=10 July 2006 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref> and the Swedish series ''[[Albert & Herbert]]''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Orh6CgAAQBAJ&pg=PP18|title=The Steptoe and Son Quiz Book|first=Mark|last=McCaighey|date=12 August 2015|publisher=Andrews UK Limited|isbn=9781785382130}}</ref> Many of their works were re-adopted for later production, such as the [[Paul Merton]] revival of the ''Hancock's Half Hour'' for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]],<ref name=bbc/> and the 2009 audio plays ''Galton and Simpson's Half Hour'' broadcast on [[BBC Radio 2]] to celebrate the team's 60th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/comedy/galtonsimpson.shtml|title=BBC – Radio 2 Comedy – Galton and Simpson's Half Hour|last=BBC|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref>

Galton and Simpson continued to write for other one-off comedies and series until Simpson's retirement in 1978,<ref name=bafta/> after which the two remained in contact.<ref name=independent/>

==Later life==
Simpson retired from scriptwriting in 1978 around the time Kathleen, his first wife, died. He then concentrated on business interests and becoming an after dinner speaker.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barker|first=Dennis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/feb/08/alan-simpson-obituary|title=Alan Simpson obituary|work=The Guardian|date=8 February 2017|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> He was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire|OBE]] in 2000, and he and Galton received a [[BAFTA Fellowship]] on 8 May 2016 for their comedic contributions.<ref name=bafta>[http://www.bafta.org/television/awards/ray-galton-alan-simpson-bafta-fellowship-in-2016 BAFTA fellowship 2016 Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]. Retrieved 9 May 2016</ref>

Simpson died on 8 February 2017, as a result of [[lung disease]], at the age of 87. After his death, his wife Tessa Le Bars said: "Having had the privilege of working with Alan and Ray for over 50 years, the last 40 as agent, business manager and friend, and latterly as Alan's companion and carer, I am deeply saddened to lose Alan after a brave battle with lung disease."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38906672|title=Steptoe writer Alan Simpson dies|date=2017-02-08|access-date=2019-08-28|language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 11 February 2017 [[BBC Two]] broadcast the ''Steptoe and Son'' episode "Divided We Stand" in his memory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009j5xn|title=Steptoe and Son – BBC One|publisher=.bbc.co.uk|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0800882|Alan Simpson}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|alan_simpson}}

{{Galton and Simpson}}
{{BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Alan}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:British radio writers]]
[[Category:English television writers]]
[[Category:British television writers]]
[[Category:BAFTA fellows]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People from Brixton]]
[[Category:English male writers]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung disease]]
[[Category:British male television writers]]
[[Category:English comedy writers]]