Ian Dury and performed the theme song "Profoundly in Love with Pandora" for the television series "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾" (1985), based on the book of the same name by Sue Townsend, as well as its follow-up, "The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole" (1987). Dury turned down an offer from Andrew Lloyd Webber to write the libretto for "Cats" (from which Richard Stilgoe reportedly earned millions). The reason, said Dury, "I can't stand his music." When AIDS first came to prominence in the mid-1980s, Dury was among celebrities who appeared on UK television to promote safe sex, demonstrating
Ken Howard (composer) "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole" (Wyndham's Theatre, 1984–1986), and two BBC TV musicals "Orion" (1977) and" Ain't Many Angels" (1978). They also wrote music and lyrics for the 1990 UK tour of Roald Dahl's "Matilda". As a British film maker Howard has worked extensively in drama, music and documentary films. These have included (for the BBC) "A Penny for Your Dreams", "John Lennon - A Journey in the Life", "The Miracle of Intervale Avenue", "Open Mind", "Mr Abbott’s Broadway" and "Sunny Stories"; (for ITV) "South Bank Show" profiles of the New World Symphony Orchestra, Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Hakan