British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Ian La Frenais. Copyright: BBC
Ian La Frenais

Ian La Frenais

  • 88 years old
  • English
  • Writer
  1. 2nd September: Missing BBC sitcom episodes' audio recovered
  2. 29th August: Porridge celebrated via Royal Mail stamps
Porridge: Inside Out. Ian La Frenais

Ian La Frenais is an 88-year-old English writer.

Year Production Role
2022 Comedy Classics: Porridge Self
2019 Whatever Happened To Dick Clement And Ian La Frenais? Guest
2017 Porridge - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Go-Between
  2. E2 - The Cake
  3. E3 - The Minder
  4. E4 - The Witness
  5. E5 - The Listener
  6. E6 - The Rift
 Writer
2017 The Story Of... Only Fools & Horses
  1. E6 - Family Matters
 Self
2017 Henry IX
View episodes
  1. E1 - Reigned In
  2. E2 - Exit Strategy
  3. E3 - Clearing The Air
 Writer
2016 British Sitcom: 60 Years Of Laughing At Ourselves Self
2016 Porridge - Porridge Writer
2015 Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
 Self
2014 50 Years Of BBC 2 Comedy Self
2014 Porridge: Inside Out
View episodes
  1. E1 - Sent Down
  2. E2 - Banged Up
  3. E3 - Good Behaviour
 Self
2014 The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden Treasure Self
2013 The Two Ronnies Spectacle
  1. E2 - The Sketches
 Self
2013 Mark Lawson Talks To Clement & La Frenais Self
2013 Radio 2's History Of British Comedy
  1. E3 - Episode Three
 Self
2012 Laughed Off The Page - Series 4
  1. E1 - Ian La Frenais & Dick Clement
 Self
2009 Mumbai Calling - Series 1
  1. E7 - All That Glitters Is Not Glass
 Writer (Additional Material)
2008 Parents Of The Band
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
 Script Editor
2008 Marty Feldman - Six Degrees Of Separation Self
2007 The Original Godfather Self
2007 Make 'Em Laugh, Make 'Em Laugh
  1. E2 - Attitudes To Work
 Self
2006 The Ultimate Sitcom Self
2006 Flushed Away Creator
2006 Flushed Away Writer
2005 And It's Goodnight From Him: A Tribute To Ronnie Barker Self
2005 The Comedians' Comedian Self
2004 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - Au Revoir
View episodes
  1. E1 - Au Revoir Part 1
  2. E2 - Au Revoir Part 2
 Writer
2004 Ronnie Barker: A BAFTA Tribute Self
2004 Britain's Best Sitcom
  1. E1 - The Launch
  2. E7 - Porridge
 Guest
2004 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E1 - Britannia Waives The Rules
  2. E2 - Our Men in Havana
  3. E3 - A Gift from Fidel
  4. E4 - Moonlighting
  5. E5 - Dangerous Liaisons
  6. E6 - The End of the Affair
 Writer
2003 Comedy Connections - Series 1
  1. E1 - Porridge
 Self
2002 A Tribute To The Likely Lads Writer
2002 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Bridging The Gap
  2. E2 - Heavy Metal
  3. E3 - Bridge Over Troubled Water
  4. E4 - A Bridge Too Far
  5. E5 - Another Country
  6. E6 - An Inspector Calls
 Writer
1999 Laughter In The House: The Story Of British Sitcom
  1. E1 - The Early Days
  2. E2 - The Sensational Seventies
 Self
1998 Still Crazy Executive Producer
1998 Still Crazy Writer
1997 Whatever Happened To... Clement & La Frenais? Self
1995 Shine On Harvey Moon - Series 5
  1. E4 - Episode Four
  2. E5 - Episode Five
  3. E6 - Episode Six
 Writer
1994 Lovejoy - Series 6
View episodes
  1. E10 - Last Tango In Lavenham
 Writer
1993 Lovejoy - Series 5
View episodes
  1. Special - The Lost Colony
 Writer
1993 Over The Rainbow Creator
1993 Over The Rainbow
View episodes
  1. E1 - Starting Over
  2. E2 - Only The Lonely
  3. E4 - Red Red Wine
  4. E5 - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
  5. E7 - Stand By Me
  6. E8 - Dream On
 Writer
1993 Lovejoy - Series 4 Writer
1993 Tracey Ullman: A Class Act Writer
1993 Full Stretch
View episodes
  1. E1 - Ivory Tower
  2. E2 - Cadillac Dreams
  3. E3 - Family Affairs
  4. E4 - Risky Business
  5. E5 - Headlines
  6. E6 - Deals On Wheels
 Writer
1992 Lovejoy - The Prague Sun Writer
1992 Old Boy Network
View episodes
  1. E1 - Dances With Moles
  2. E2 - Female Of The Species
  3. E3 - Red Alert
  4. E4 - A Question Of Sport
  5. E5 - The Iceman Cometh
  6. E6 - Kiss And Sell
  7. E7 - The Book Of Revelations
 Creator
1992 Old Boy Network
View episodes
  1. E1 - Dances With Moles
  2. E2 - Female Of The Species
  3. E3 - Red Alert
  4. E4 - A Question Of Sport
  5. E5 - The Iceman Cometh
  6. E7 - The Book Of Revelations
 Writer
1992 Lovejoy - Series 3 Writer
1991 Lovejoy - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Just Desserts
 Writer
1991 The Commitments Co-producer
1991 The Commitments Writer
1990 Freddie And Max
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
 Writer
1986 Lenny Henry Tonite
  1. E4 - Neighbourhood Watch
 Writer
1986 Mog - Series 2 Writer
1986 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Return of the Seven (Part 1)
  2. E2 - The Return of the Seven (Part 2)
  3. E3 - A Law for the Rich
  4. E4 - Another Country
  5. E8 - Marjorie Doesn't Live Here Anymore
  6. E9 - Hasta La Vista
  7. E10 - Scoop
  8. E12 - For Better or Worse
  9. E13 - Quo Vadis, Pet
 Writer
1986 Lovejoy - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Firefly Cage
  2. E3 - The Sting
  3. E4 - Friends, Romans And Enemies
  4. E5 - The Judas Pair
  5. E9 - Death And Venice (Part 1)
  6. E10 - Death And Venice (Part 2)
 Writer
1985 Mog - Series 1 Writer
1985 Water Producer
1985 Water Writer
1983 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - If I Were A Carpenter
  2. E2 - Who Won The War, Anyway?
  3. E3 - The Girls They Left Behind
  4. E4 - Suspicion
  5. E6 - The Accused
  6. E7 - Private Lives
  7. E8 - The Fugitive
  8. E9 - The Alien
  9. E10 - Last Rites
  10. E12 - Love And Other Four-Letter Words
 Writer
1982 The Further Adventures Of Lucky Jim
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Big Smoke
  2. E2 - A Foot In The Door
  3. E3 - Scoop
  4. E4 - The Apartment
  5. E5 - Eckersley Revisited
  6. E6 - The Ties That Bind
  7. E7 - Will Success Spoil Jim Dixon?
 Writer
1982 Shine On Harvey Moon - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Getting Results
  2. E2 - A Deal With The Devil
  3. E3 - In Sickness And In Health
  4. E4 - A Party Line
  5. E5 - The Course Of True Love
  6. E6 - Safe As Houses
 Script Editor
1982 Posh Script Editor
1982 Shine On Harvey Moon - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Hail The Conquering Hero
  2. E2 - Getting To Know You
  3. E3 - Who's Afraid Of Virginia Flake?
  4. E4 - Sweet F.A.
  5. E5 - The Rough With The Smooth
  6. E6 - A Christmas Truce
 Script Editor
1981 Astronauts - Series 1
  1. E1 - Episode One
 Script Editor
1981 The Other 'Arf - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Moving Away
  2. E2 - Holding The Baby
  3. E3 - The Big 'E'
  4. E4 - A Man Of Property
  5. E5 - All Right On The Night
  6. E6 - After The Ball
 Composer
1981 The Other 'Arf - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Moving Away
  2. E2 - Holding The Baby
  3. E3 - The Big 'E'
  4. E4 - A Man Of Property
  5. E5 - All Right On The Night
  6. E6 - After The Ball
 Script Editor
1980 The Other 'Arf - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Shooting The Germans
  2. E4 - A Bit On The Side
  3. E5 - Open To The Public
  4. E6 - Never The Twain
  5. E7 - Seperate Ways
  6. Special - Away From It All
 Composer
1980 The Other 'Arf - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Shooting The Germans
  2. E2 - Them And Us
  3. E3 - Decisions, Decisions
  4. E4 - A Bit On The Side
  5. E5 - Open To The Public
  6. E6 - Never The Twain
  7. E7 - Seperate Ways
  8. Special - Away From It All
 Script Editor
1979 Porridge Producer
1979 Porridge Writer
1978 Going Straight
View episodes
  1. E1 - Going Home
  2. E2 - Going To Be Alright
  3. E3 - Going Sour
  4. E4 - Going To Work
  5. E5 - Going Going Gone
  6. E6 - Going Off The Rails
 Writer
1977 Three Piece Suite
  1. E2 - Episode Two
 Writer
1977 Porridge - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - A Storm In A Teacup
  2. E2 - Poetic Justice
  3. E3 - Rough Justice
  4. E4 - Pardon Me
  5. E5 - A Test Of Character
  6. E6 - Final Stretch
 Writer
1976 Porridge - The Desperate Hours Writer
1976 The Likely Lads Writer
1975 Porridge - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Just Desserts
  2. E2 - Heartbreak Hotel
  3. E3 - Disturbing The Peace
  4. E4 - No Peace For The Wicked
  5. E5 - Happy Release
  6. E6 - The Harder They Fall
  7. Special - No Way Out
 Writer
1975 Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?
View episodes
  1. E1 - Strangers On A Train
  2. E2 - Home Is The Hero
  3. E3 - Cold Feet
  4. E4 - Moving On
  5. E5 - I'll Never Forget Whatshername
  6. E6 - Birthday Boy
  7. E7 - No Hiding Place
  8. E8 - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
  9. E9 - Storm In A Tea Chest
  10. E10 - The Old Magic
  11. E11 - Count Down
  12. E12 - Boys' Night In
  13. E13 - End Of An Era
 Writer
1975 Captive Audience Writer
1975 Only On Sunday Writer
1974 Porridge - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - New Faces, Old Hands
  2. E2 - The Hustler
  3. E3 - A Night In
  4. E4 - A Day Out
  5. E5 - Ways And Means
  6. E6 - Men Without Women
 Writer
1974 Percy's Progress Writer (Additional Material)
1974 Thick As Thieves
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Homecoming
  2. E2 - Happy Release
  3. E3 - Good Conduct
  4. E4 - Two Men in My Life
  5. E5 - The Trouble with Tommy
  6. E6 - Three into Two Won't Go
  7. E7 - Home and Away
  8. E8 - Holy Deadlock
 Composer
1974 Thick As Thieves
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Homecoming
  2. E2 - Happy Release
  3. E3 - Good Conduct
  4. E4 - Two Men in My Life
  5. E5 - The Trouble with Tommy
  6. E6 - Three into Two Won't Go
  7. E7 - Home and Away
  8. E8 - Holy Deadlock
 Writer
1974 Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Absent Friends
  2. E2 - Heart To Heart
  3. E3 - The Ant And The Grasshopper
  4. E4 - One For The Road
  5. E5 - The Great Race
  6. E6 - Some Day We'll Laugh About This
  7. E7 - In Harm's Way
  8. E8 - Affairs And Relations
  9. E9 - The Expert
  10. E10 - Between Ourselves
  11. E11 - The Go-Between
  12. E12 - Conduct Unbecoming
  13. E13 - The Shape Of Things To Come
  14. Special - 1974
 Writer
1973 The Train Now Standing - Series 2
  1. E2 - A Night To Remember
  2. E4 - The Long Goodbye
 Writer
1973 I'll Fly You For A Quid Writer
1973 Porridge - Prisoner And Escort Writer
1973 Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Strangers On A Train
  2. E2 - Home Is The Hero
  3. E3 - Cold Feet
  4. E4 - Moving On
  5. E5 - I'll Never Forget What's-Her-Name?
  6. E6 - Birthday Boy
  7. E7 - No Hiding Place
  8. E8 - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
  9. E9 - Storm In A Tea Chest
  10. E10 - The Old Magic
  11. E11 - Count Down
  12. E12 - Boys' Night In
  13. E13 - The End Of An Era
 Writer
1972 The Two Ronnies - Series 2
  1. E5 - Episode Five
 Writer
1969 The Virgin Soldiers Writer (Additional Material)
1968 The Likely Lads - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Friends And Neighbours
  2. E2 - The Other Side Of The Fence
  3. E3 - Entente Cordiale
  4. E4 - Double Date
  5. E5 - Love And Marriage
  6. E6 - Their Hearts Were Touched By Ursula
  7. E7 - Chance Of A Lifetime
  8. E8 - Goodbye To All That
 Writer
1968 Otley Writer
1967 The Likely Lads - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
  2. E2 - The Suitor
  3. E3 - The Rocker
  4. E4 - Older Women Are More Experienced
  5. E5 - Baby, It's Cold Outside
  6. E6 - Outward Bound
  7. E7 - The Talk Of The Town
  8. E8 - Anchors Aweigh
 Writer
1967 Vacant Lot
  1. E7 - Criminal Negligence
 Writer
1967 Further Adventures Of Lucky Jim
View episodes
  1. E5 - Home, James
 Writer
1967 Mr Aitch Writer
1966 The Likely Lads - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Outward Bound
  2. E2 - Friends And Neighbours
  3. E3 - Rocker
  4. E4 - Brief Encounter
  5. E5 - The Razor's Edge
  6. E6 - Anchors Aweigh
  7. E7 - Love And Marriage
  8. E8 - Goodbye To All That
 Writer
1965 The Time And Motion Man Writer
1965 The Likely Lads - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Baby, It's Cold Outside
  2. E2 - A Star Is Born
  3. E3 - The Talk Of The Town
  4. E4 - The Last Of The Big Spenders
  5. E5 - Far Away Places
  6. E6 - Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
 Writer
1964 The Likely Lads - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Entente Cordiale
  2. E2 - Double Date
  3. Special - Christmas Night With The Stars
  4. E3 - Older Women Are More Experienced
  5. E4 - Other Side Of The Fence
  6. E5 - Chance Of A Lifetime
  7. E6 - The Suitor
 Writer

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Ian La Frenais on IMDb

Born
Tuesday 7th January 1936 (88 years-old)
Member of
Nationality
English
Annie Awards 2007
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 2003
Best Drama Serial (Nominee)
BAFTA Film Awards 1992
Best Adapted Screenplay (Winner)
London Critics' Circle Film Awards 1992
British Screenwriter Of The Year (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 1976
Writers Award (Winner)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1974
Best TV Comedy (Winner)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1973
Best TV Comedy (Winner)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1969
Best Comedy Screenplay (Winner)
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