John Stroud
A subtle and adroit director and producer of comedy, John Stroud began his apprenticeship in the Cambridge Footlights and secured his first professional job with documentary-makers TransAtlantic Films, before becoming a trainee director with Thames Television in 1978.
He directed episodes of children’s programmes Rainbow and The Sooty Show before establishing himself with the Andrew Davies-scripted series, Educating Marmalade. As a freelance he worked on Spitting Image, KYTV, Who Dares Wins and in 1988 he directed the first series of Chelmsford 123. Later, he directed Harry Enfield and Chums, plus Kiss Me Kate with Caroline Quentin and Chris Langham.
He formed his own production company, Big Bear Films, in 1996 with Marcus Mortimer and developed My Hero for the BBC. Starring Ardal O’Hanlon, it ran to 44 episodes. More recently, Stroud developed the bearded chefs on motorbikes cookery programme The Hairy Bikers in 2004.
Born in Gillingham, Kent on January 27, 1955, he died from a brain tumour, aged 54, on August 15. He is survived by his wife and two children.
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