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BBC Radio Comedy Writers Bursary

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The BBC Radio Comedy Writers' Bursary (or the BBC Radio Comedy Department Contract Writer) is a scheme through which emerging comedy writers work in-house at the BBC Radio Comedy department for a year.

History

The scheme, which was originally known as the Peter Titheradge Award, began in 1978 and was devised by the then-head of Head of BBC Light Entertainment (Radio), David Hatch, and BBC Television's Head of Light Entertainment, James Gilbert. Each department put £5000 a year into a kitty to employ three young writers on a one-year contract. The only proviso was that there was to be no contract for a second year, and that the writers must then fend for themselves. The first beneficiaries were Rory McGrath, Jimmy Mulville and Guy Jenkin, who were followed by Rob Grant, Doug Naylor (Red Dwarf). Since then, the scheme has helped several aspiring or part-time writers to go full-time and has produced a great number of professional writers and comedians, including John O'Farrell, Peter Baynham, Stewart Lee and Simon Blackwell (The Thick Of It, Veep).

Duties of recipients

Under the current regime, those selected for the bursary work on BBC Radio 4's three high-profile topical shows; The News Quiz, The Now Show and Dead Ringers, contribute writing across the range of the BBC Radio Comedy Department's output as well as script-editing sketch-shows and sitcoms. Bursary recipients are also encouraged to develop new formats and create their own shows.

List of recipients

References

  1. ^ Took, Barry (1981). Laughter In The Air. London: Robson Books. p. 175. ISBN 0 86051 149 9.
  2. "BBC Studios celebrates 40 years of the Radio Comedy Writer's Bursary and announces new recipients". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  3. "Biography 2". www.robgrant.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  4. ^ "Sarah Campbell and Liam Beirne new BBC Radio Contract Writers - Make It - British Comedy Guide". www.comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  5. "Danielle Ward". Such Small Portions. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  6. "Don't mind your Ps & Qs: Gareth Gwynn". walesonline. Western Mail. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  7. "Radio Comedy Staff Writer | Jobs and careers with BBC". careerssearch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  8. "Radio Comedy Staff Writer | Jobs and careers with BBC". edmorrish.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  9. "BBC Studios Audio adds new comedy Contract Writers and producers". www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. "Christina Riggs & Peter Tellouche are BBC Studios' 2024 staff writers". www.bbc.co.uk.
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