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
TV Cream One! The Story of Comedy at Radio 1", a history of BBC Radio 1's comedy output, by contributor Tim "TJ" Worthington. TV Cream TV Cream is a British television nostalgia website, which has expanded to cover not only television, but film, toys, books, and other objects. "The Daily Telegraph" called it "a labour of love" and praised "the standard of the writing". in 2005, "The Sun"'s TV critic Ally Ross said "everyone who loves TV should worship at the altar" of this "genius, nostalgia site". In 2003, it was amongst the nominees for Yahoo! UK & Ireland as best comedy