Peter Tinniswood (21 December 1936 – 9 January 2003) was an British writer notable for his prolific work in radio drama. He also achieved success in film, television, and novels.
Biography[]
Born in Liverpool, Tinniswood grew up in Manchester and attended Manchester University, hoping to become a journalist. His writing career began in 1958, working for the Sheffield Star. In the early 60's, he also wrote comedy material for television. In 1967, he wrote an novel which became successful and was later adapted as a film. He wrote prolificly for television and radio
A lifelong pipe smoker, Peter Tinniswood died of throat cancer, at the age of 67. Since his death, the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and the Society of Authors have jointly administered the annual Tinniswood Award in his memory, to honour the best original radio drama script broadcast in the UK during the previous year, with a prize of £1500 awarded to the winner.
See Wikipedia for further information
Radio Career[]
Tinniswood's first work for radio was a series of comedy plays in 1964, followed by many comedies and dramas in the decades after, including both plays and series.
A Touch Of Daniel, based on his 1968 novel, included the first radio appearance of the popular character Uncle Mort. The Village Fête, perhaps his most famous play for radio, won a Giles Cooper Award and a Sony Award in 1987, and introduced the popular character Winston Hayballs, played by Bill Wallis.
Later in life, his interest and career turned increasingly to radio, which he professed to be his favorite medium.
Radio Plays[]
- Hardluck Hall (1964)
- Sam's Wedding (1973)
- The Bargeman's Comfort (1977)
- A Touch of Daniel (1977)
- The Umpire's Thoughts Regarding a Certain Murder (1979)
- Jake and Myself (1979)
- The Siege (1979)
- A Gifted Child (1980)
- Home Again (1980)
- An Occasional Day (1981)
- Stoker Leishman's Diaries (1981)
- The Village Fête (1987)
- Uncle Mort's North Country (1988)
- Call It A Canary (1989)
- Winston (1989)
- A Small Union (1990)
- Winston Comes To Town (1990)
- Uncle Mort's South Country (1990)
- The Sitter (1990)
- I Always Take Long Walks (1991)
- Winston In Love (1991)
- Winston At Christmas (1991)
- Tales from the Brigadier (1992)
- Two into Three (1992)
- Winston in Europe (1992)
- The Governor's Consort (1993)
- Winston Back Home (1994)
- Pen Pals (1995)
- Uncle Mort's Celtic Fringe (1996)
- The Moon Hunter (1996)
- Next Time We Might Play Better (1997)
- The Last Obituary (1998)
- Visiting Julia (1998)
- The Wireless Lady (1998)
- On the Whole It's Been Jolly Good (1998)
- Verona - a Conspiracy of Parrots (1998)
- A Very Rare Bird Indeed (1998)
- The House Swap (1999)
- The Scan (1999)
- Dorothy, a Manager's Wife (2000)
- Age Gap (2000)
- The Packer (2000)
- Admiral of the Night (2000)
- The Monument (2000)
- The Duvet Lady (2001)
- Mr. Reliable (2001)
- Tales from the Backbench (2001)
- On the Train to Chemnitz (2001)
- The Air Raid (2002)
- Anton in Eastbourne (2002)
- The Goalkeeper's Boo-Boo (2003)
- Visitors (2010)
External links[]
- Peter Tinniswood at IMDB
- Peter Tinniswood at 'Diversity'
- BBC Guide to Comedy - information about shows Peter Tinniswood has contributed to.
- News of death (BBC)