The Stage

Sitcom writer Powell dies

Published Tuesday 14 July 2009 at 10:23 by Matthew Hemley

Never the Twain writer Vince Powell has died at the age of 80.

The sitcom writer, who also wrote Mind Your Language and Young at Heart, passed away at the Royal Surrey Hospital yesterday morning.

In a statement, Apex Publishing’s Chris Cowlin, who published Powell’s autobiography From Rags to Gags, paid tribute to the writer’s ability to make “millions of people laugh throughout his career”.

“I last saw Vince in September 2008, we had dinner together and talked about his wonderful television career. He entertained me for hours with his stories from the past and about the people he knew,” he said.

He added that Powell’s death was “a sad time for British television” and said the sitcom writer would be missed by “family, friends, show business colleagues and many, many fans”.

Powell began his career as one of the original writing team for Coronation Street, before moving into sitcoms.

Other shows he wrote include Here’s Harry, George and the Dragon and Bless This House.