The Stage

Satirical trailblazer and broadcaster Ned Sherrin dies

Published Tuesday 2 October 2007 at 12:55 by Alistair Smith

Broadcaster, writer, director and satirist Ned Sherrin has died aged 76.

Sherrin, who had originally trained as a barrister, went on to work for ATV and then the BBC, for whom he devised, directed and produced the groundbreaking satirical show That Was the Week That Was in 1962.

As a writer, he produced shows for the stage such as I Gotta Shoe, Beecham and No Bed for Bacon, while as a director he was responsible for productions such as Side by Side by Sondheim, A Passionate Woman, Bookends and Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell, which starred Peter O’Toole.

In recent years, he toured the UK with his one-man show An Evening of Theatrical Anecdotes and since 1986 hosted Radio 4’s Loose Ends.

Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent chemotherapy. He died at his home on October 1.

Mark Thompson, BBC director-general, said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Ned Sherrin. Through his brilliant early work Ned was a trailblazer who paved the way for the sophisticated modern comedy satire shows that are so much loved by audiences today.

“His contribution across decades made him one of Britain’s best loved voices. The entertainment industry owes Ned Sherrin a huge debt and he will be remembered with enormous affection and gratitude by the BBC and by countless millions of viewers and listeners.”

• A full obituary will appear in a later edition of The Stage.

• A special programme - Ned Sherrin: A Tribute - will be broadcast on Radio 4 at 6.30pm on Tuesday October 2