John Antrobus

John Arthur Antrobus (2 July 1933 – 16 December 2025) was an English playwright and screenwriter. He wrote extensively for stage, screen, television and radio, including the epic World War II play Crete and Sergeant Pepper at the Royal Court. Antrobus authored the children's book series Ronnie, which includes Help! I am a Prisoner in a Toothpaste Factory.

Life and career Early years John Arthur Antrobus was born in Woolwich, London, on 2 July 1933. His father was a regimental sergeant-major in the Royal Horse Artillery and the family was stationed at the School of Artillery in Larkhill on the edge of Salisbury Plain. After attending Bishop Wordsworth's School in Salisbury, Selhurst Grammar School in Croydon and King Edward VII Nautical College in London where he was an apprentice deck officer in the Merchant Navy from 1950 to 1952, but rebelled and dropped out of the army.

Career After leaving the Army, spending time also working as a supply teacher and waiter, Antrobus states "I met Spike in 1954 or 55. I had sent a sample script to Galton and Simpson and they took me on at Associated London Scripts." Antrobus and Milligan "wrote a couple of Goon Shows together. I wish I had done more of them with him but I wanted to be a playwright. I didn't realise they were golden times and how they gave life." The two shows were The Spon Plague, and The Great Statue Debate, both broadcast in March 1958.

At ALS, Antrobus also worked with Johnny Speight on The Frankie Howerd Show in 1956, During 1960 he worked with Milligan and Sykes in the second series of Sykes and A... (August-September 1960).

During the 1960s and 1970s, he provided scripts for television series as diverse as That Was the Week That Was, A film version was released in 1969 and a sequel from 1983. His other plays include Cane of Honour (1965), Captain Oates' Left Sock (1969), An Apple A Day (1970) and City Delights (1978). In October 2005, Antrobus and Ray Galton (with whom he had collaborated on the 1986 sitcom Room at the Bottom and Get Well Soon from 1997) unveiled their play Steptoe and Son – Murder at Oil Drum Lane at the Theatre Royal, York.

In 2010, Antrobus and Ray Galton's production of Not Tonight Caligula, originally written for Frankie Howerd, was recorded as a live radio play at The Leicester Square Theatre by The Wireless Theatre Company directed by Antrobus and starring Clive Greenwood in Howerd's role. In retirement, Antrobus still wrote and was involved in fringe productions and talent scouting.

Personal life and death In 1958, Antrobus married Margaret (née McCormick). They had two sons and a daughter but later divorced. Antrobus died on 15 December 2025 at the age of 92.

Writing credits Production Notes Production company / Distributoror BroadcasterSon of Fred"Episode #1.1" (co-written with Dave Freeman, John Junkin, Maurice Wiltshire and Spike Milligan, 1956)Associated-Rediffusion / ITVEarly to BradenUnknown episodes (1957)BBC TelevisionThe April 8th Show (Seven Days Early)Co-written with Alan Simpson, Johnny Speight and Ray Galton, 1958) BBC TelevisionCarry On SergeantFeature film (co-written with Norman Hudis, 1958)Peter Rogers / Anglo-AmalgamatedIdol on ParadeFeature film (1959)Warwick / ColumbiaJazz BoatFeature film (co-written with Ken Hughes and Rex Rienits, 1960)Warwick / ColumbiaSykes and a..."Sykes and a Library Book" (1960) "Sykes and a Cheque Book" (1960)BBC TelevisionThe Army Game"The Kindest Man in Britain" (1960)Granada Television / ITVBootsie and Snudge"The Cemetery" (1961)Granada Television / ITVITV Television Playhouse"The Missing Links" (1961)Associated-Rediffusion / ITVThat Was the Week That WasUnknown episodes (1962)BBC TelevisionThe Wrong Arm of the LawFeature film (co-written with Len Heath and Ray Galton, 1963)British Lion FilmsRoom at the Bottom"A Show for Monty" (1964) "It Came from Outer Hollywood" (1964) "The Show That Died of Shame" (1964) "Albert's Ailment" (co-written with Martin Gates, 1992) "Return of the Nightmare Stone" (co-written with Martin Gates, 1992)Central / ITVCarry On ColumbusFeature film (co-written with Dave Freeman, 1992)Island World / Comedy House / Peter RogersGet Well Soon6 episodes (1997)BBC1

Awards and nominations