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
Doug MacLeod (TV writer) "Dogstar" which won him the inaugural John Hinde prize for science fiction in 2008. He is currently working on series two with co-writer Philip Dalkin. In 2008 Doug won the Fred Parsons Award for Contribution to Australian Comedy at the Australian Writer Guilds Awards. He is currently the writer of "Call Girl the Musical", with Tracy Harvey which has performed two seasons in Melbourne. With John Clarke, he co-wrote a musical adaptation of the children's book "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie", titled "The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom." He has written the following story books for children and