Ray Galton & Alan Simpson

It seems ironic that much of their humor comes from adversity, as it was adverse conditions that brought them together in the first place. They had both suffered from T.B. and it was whilst they were both convalescing in Milford Sanatorium that they met. It is not clear how long they were both in the sanatorium, but they way it is explained, leaves you with the feeling that some marriages don’t last as long as Ray and Alan’s spell in Milford. How ever long it was is irrelevant, because it was long enough for them to form a friendship and a working relationship that has kept us all laughing ever since.

Not enough credit is given to Galton and Simpson for their innovation at this time, and the debt that is owed to then by subsequent comedy writers. Although their plays were undoubtedly funny, they took the opportunity to move the whole genre in a totally new direction and use real actors rather than established comedians to play the lead roles. Both Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett were well known, respected and established “serious” actors. Galton and Simpson wanted them to play the Steptoe’s and to everybody’s delight; they agreed. The rest is history and this website is dedicated to the work of everybody involved with Steptoe and Son.

Galton and Simpson were also founder members of “Associated London Scripts” a co-operative of comedy writers, based above a greengrocers shop in Shepherds Bush, London. Other founder members included Spike Milligan and Eric Sykes. Ray and Alan interviewed Johnny Speight (writer of Alf Garnet) for a position at ASL. They went on to write for such British comedy legends as Peter Sellers and Frankie Howerd.

Both Ray and Alan continue to work to this day. You would have though with all those video sales they wouldn’t have to!!! Alan only works on projects involved with Hancock and of course Steptoe. Given that the interest shows no sign of abating, it looks like he’s going to be busy for many years to come.