Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em writer Raymond Allen dies aged 82
- Comedy writer Raymond Allen has died aged 82
- He is best known for writing hit 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
- His family say: "His legacy will live on. He will be greatly missed by many"
Raymond Allen, who wrote hit 1970s sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, has died aged 82.
His family said in a statement: "It is with greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our much-loved husband, stepfather, and grandad. After a short illness, with family and friends by his side, he passed away peacefully on Sunday 2 October 2022.
"His life's work gave joy and laughter to many millions of people not just in this country but all around the world. Raymond has left us all with wonderful memories filled with fun, laughter, and love."
They added: "He will be remembered as a very humble, kind and generous man. His legacy will live on. He will be greatly missed by many."
Allen, who was born on the Isle of Wight and lived there all his life, worked as a reporter, in the RAF and then in various part-time jobs. In his spare time he submitted many scripts, but initially was rejected. He wrote material for Frankie Howerd and Dave Allen while working as a cinema cleaner, before landing his major hit with the BBC.
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, which followed the adventures of an accident-prone character called Frank Spencer, launched in 1973. The sitcom, which starred Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice, ran for 22 episodes across three series, reaching up to 25 million viewers. The show ended with a Christmas special in 1978, but Crawford and Dotrice briefly returned as Frank and Betty in a 2016 sketch for Sports Relief.
A stage adaptation has been touring since 2018, with Joe Pasquale in the lead role.
Raymond Allen appeared in the recently filmed documentary Secrets & Scandals Of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Broadcast in August, the 45 minute programme is available to stream for free via Channel 5
In the documentary he talked about having scripts rejected for 15 years before the head of BBC comedy, Michael Mills, picked up his script. Allen was then offered £350 for each episode in the first series, much to his shock, as he believed at first he was to be paid £350 for the whole series - an idea he was happy with, given it was his first series and he was otherwise still living with his parents and just doing odd jobs. Mills believed in the project so much that he quit his role to become the producer and director of the sitcom.
Allen said he didn't have to look far for when it came to thinking up inspiration for Frank's mishaps. "I always thought I was sort of jinxed; everything seemed to sort of go wrong with me." For example, he flooded the cinema whilst trying to fix a toilet - a similar stunt then ended up in the sitcom.
Summing up his work on the show and the pride he has in creating the programme, he concluded: "It changed my life really; it changed everything. I don't know what would have happened if hadn't been for Some Mothers."
Update: Michael Crawford tribute
Writing on Twitter, Michael Crawford said:
"So very sad to hear of Raymond Allen's passing. I send love and strength to his dear wife, Nancy and their family. His writing was the epitome of innocence and naivety. He gave me, as Frank, the most wonderful dialogue to perform, we traveled a very long journey together. Ray was a 'one off' for sure and still people watch Some Mothers... with their great grandchildren. Farewell, lovely man and thank you."