Ben Elton is a multi-award-winning novelist, playwright, television writer, screenwriter and lyricist. He is also a theatre, screen and TV director, a stand-up comedian and a very occasional actor. Born in Catford, south-east London, in 1959, Ben was state-educated and studied drama at Manchester University, where he now holds an honorary doctorate. He began his professional career in 1981. Ben married Australian bass player Sophie in 1994, they have three grown up children and divide their time between Britain and Australia.
In 2007 Ben Elton was awarded the Special Golden Rose d'Or at The International Television Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland, for his lifetime contribution to the television arts.
