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
John Kane (writer) John Kane (writer) John Kane (born 27 October 1945) is a British actor and writer. An associate actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company, he played Puck in Peter Brook's acclaimed production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" alongside Ben Kingsley, Alan Howard and Frances de la Tour, before turning to comedy script writing. He began writing for Terry Scott's sketch show "Scott On", before taking over the reins on a project for Terry Scott and comic actress June Whitfield, which began as "Happy Ever After" and later turned into the longer-running series "Terry and June", for which he wrote the entire