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) Doug MacLeod (TV writer) Doug MacLeod (born 13 October 1959) is a writer of books, television and theatre from Melbourne, Australia. Doug was a working writer for ABC Radio's comedy department in the 1980s, before spending two years as head writer of Network Ten's "The Comedy Company". He was a writer on the sketch comedy programs "Fast Forward" and "Full Frontal". He has been the script editor of "Kath & Kim" since the series commenced on the ABC. As a break from sketch comedy he co-wrote five episodes of "SeaChange" with Andrew Knight. He currently co-writes the animated children's series