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
The Pin (comedy act) The Pin were the 2013 winners of London Sketchfest's prize for 'Best Act,' and the first series of their Radio 4 show won them the award for 'Best Comedy' at the 2016 BBC radio awards. The Pin (comedy act) The Pin is a comedy double-act composed of Ben Ashenden and Alex Owen. They write and star in their BBC Radio 4 show of the same name. The double act met at the University of Cambridge, where they joined the Cambridge Footlights. Whilst members they co-wrote and performed in two international tour shows: 2010's 'Good For You,' directed by Liam Williams