Former head of comedy for the BBC, Geoffrey Perkins dies in a road accident age 55

August 30, 2008

British comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins died in a road accident on Friday. It is believed he collapsed and fell into the path of a oncoming flatbed lorry. The accident took place on Marylebone High Street in London. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "The 55-year old victim was given emergency First Aid at the scene, but was pronounced dead."

As well as his work in producing he also wrote for several shows including Spitting Image, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, My Hero, My Family, Father Ted,The Catherine Tate Show and many others. For several years he worked with the BBC Radio Light Entertainment department. There he helped to produce shows such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He is also credited with the creation of the game Mornington Crescent for the radio show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

He later left BBC radio to work as a director for Hat Trick Productions, an independent television and radio production company. He left in 1995 to become the head of comedy for the BBC. He left the BBC after 6 years in 2001 to join another independent production company, Tiger Aspect.

Jana Bennett, the director of vision for the BBC said that she was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the news. She also said that "Geoffrey Perkins was an outstanding creator of countless comedy hits on the BBC and elsewhere, and a very distinguished former BBC head of comedy. He embraced comedy talent to create unique programmes which will be enjoyed for a very long time to come. All of our thoughts are with Geoffrey's family at this very sad time."