Dennis Potter

Born the son of a coalminer in 1935, Dennis Potter would become one of England's most beloved and controversial playwrights, rising to international fame largely through the medium of television and following the enormous success of his unique series, 'The Singing Detective'. His television career began writing sketches for the satirical comedy series 'That Was The Week That Was', hosted by David Frost. He had considered a life in politics but after an uinsuccessful campaign in 1964 he wrote two tele-plays ('Stand Up Nigel Barton!' and 'Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton!'), dealing with his disillusionment with the political machine. Next came his acclaimed 'Blue Remembered HIlls' and his role in British television history was cast. During the early 1960s, Potter began to suffer from an acute form of psoriasis and for the rest of his life, Potter was frequently in hospitals, sometimes completely unable to move and in great pain. The disease eventually ruined his hands, reducing them to what he called "clubs", and he learned to write by strapping a pen to his hand. In 1994 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer - he named it 'Rupert' after Rupert Murdoch - it claimed his life later that year. "The trouble with words is that you never know whose mouths they have been in." - Dennis Potter