72 and counting
Today we celebrate the 72nd birthday of renowned screenwriter David Renwick, responsible for some of British TV’s most-admired comedy.
Born on 4th September 1951 in Luton, Bedfordshire, David Renwick is known for his exceptional contributions to the world of radio and television. His career, spanning several decades, has left an indelible mark on audiences with his unparalleled storytelling skills.
David Renwick’s fascination with words and storytelling began in his formative years. He attended Luton Grammar School, and later became a journalist. His professional journey as a comedy writer commenced in the 1970s when he started scripting for radio comedy programmes such as Week Ending and The News Huddlines, quickly gaining recognition for his sharp wit and knack for intricate wordplay.
Renwick’s career received a fillip when he teamed up with Andrew Marshall to write the surreal BBC Radio 4 comedy show The Burkiss Way, as well as contributing material to TV sketch shows such as Not the Nine O’Clock News and The Two Ronnies. Perhaps his most celebrated contribution to the latter is the Mastermind parody in which Ronnie Corbett’s specialised subject is ‘Answering the question before last’.
In the 1980s Renwick and Marshall co-wrote the much-acclaimed ITV sitcoms Whoops Apocalypse and Hot Metal, as well as sketch material for shows such as Alexei Sayle’s Stuff and The Kenny Everett Television Show.
David Renwick’s most iconic work as a solo writer is the classic sitcom One Foot in the Grave (1990-2000), starring Richard Wilson as the cantankerous Victor Meldrew. Renwick’s clever writing and dark humour resonated with audiences, making it a major success. The show garnered numerous awards and remains a beloved British comedy classic.
As a lover of detective fiction, David dramatised several of Agatha Christie’s stories for the ITV series Poirot before going on to create the acclaimed mystery-crime drama series Jonathan Creek (1997-2016) starring Alan Davies as a devisor of illusions for a stage magician, who uses his knowledge of deception and the art of creating the seemingly impossible to solve complex murder cases. The show’s intricate plots and Renwick’s storytelling prowess received critical acclaim.
David Renwick’s ability to blend humour with multi-layered narratives has secured his lasting legacy in the world of television. His work has won him many awards and continues to be celebrated, inspiring both audiences and fellow creators. Renwick’s distinctive style, characterised by clever wordplay and intricate storytelling, has cemented his status as a revered figure in the entertainment industry.
Two brilliantly funny novels by David Renwick based on the misfortunes of Victor Meldrew have been published by Fantom and are available now in hardback: One Foot in the Grave and its sequel One Foot in the Grave and Counting.
