Ben Elton is an atheist. Elton studied at Stillness Junior School and Godalming Grammar School in Surrey, South Warwickshire College in Stratford-upon-Avon and the University of Manchester. His first television appearance was a stand-up performance on the BBC1 youth and music programme, The "Oxford Road Show". His first TV success, at 23, came as co-writer of the television sitcom, "The Young Ones", in which he occasionally appeared. In 1983/84 he wrote and appeared in Granada Television's sketch show "Alfresco", which was also notable for early appearances by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane. In 1985, Elton produced his first
Ben Richards (writer) novels are "Throwing the House out of the Window" (1996), "Don't Step on the Lines" (1997), "The Silver River" (1999), "A Sweetheart Deal" (2001), "The Mermaid and the Drunks" (2004) and "Confidence" (2006). He also contributed to the New Puritans anthology of 2000. As a screenwriter, Richards has written for the BBC ("Spooks" and "Party Animals"), ITV ("The Fixer") and Channel 4 ("No Angels"). He is the creator and writer of "Outcasts". He has also written for the British/French crime drama television series "The Tunnel". Ben Richards (writer) Ben Richards (born 1964) is an English writer. Before writing novels and