Ned Sherrin

Ned Sherrin, presenter, writer, producer, stage director and theatre impresario has died at the age of 76. His place in the big league of British popular culture cannot be denied. He was responsible for producing That Was The Week That Was which, it can be argued, changed the face of British comedy in that its satirical nature had a big influence in the direction of comedy, especially as so much of the 'alternative comedy' circuit was to become satirical in nature.

He produced many theatre productions in London's West End including Side By Side By Sondheim and Jeffery Barnard Is Unwell and produced Up The Junction on TV as well as The Virgin Soldiers for cinema.

In recent years however, Sherrin is best remember for Loose Ends on BBC Radio 4. It was a weekly show (originally on Saturday mornings) that showcased just about every form of entertainer you could think of. From novelists, actors, comedians, singers, musicians and journalists. Graham Norton, Victoria Coren, Robert Elms, Victor Lewis-Smith, Arthur Smith and Emma Freud all worked on Loose Ends at some time early in their careers. He was a great raconteur who seemed to have a story about everyone.

To my mind he was a pioneer and like another great pioneer Anthony H Wilson who also died recently he has left a great legacy behind him and will be sorely missed.