Sir Roy Clarke (born 28 January 1930) is an English comedy writer, best known for creating and writing the sitcoms Last of the Summer Wine (1973–2010), Keeping Up Appearances (1990–1995), Open All Hours (1976–1985) and its sequel series, Still Open All Hours (2013–2019).
Early life
Clarke was born in Austerfield, West Riding of Yorkshire on 28 January 1930. He was, in the words of his Who's Who entry, educated "badly during World War II", attending St Norbert's School, the Collegiate School in Doncaster, and lastly Gainsborough Grammar School in Lincolnshire. He completed his national service as a member of the Royal Corps of Signals in the Middle East. Upon returning to England, he married Enid Kitching. For two years, he worked as a policeman, where he was based in Swinton and Thrybergh, writing stories in his spare time. Upon leaving the force, Clarke worked at a Burton tailoring factory, before becoming a teacher, securing an eight-year position at Thorne Secondary School for Boys. Around this time, Clarke began submitting scripts and ideas to various television companies. A script for the television drama series The Troubleshooters (1965–72) was accepted the same year. Clarke also wrote a prequel to the series, First of the Summer Wine. He also wrote a comedy sketch of the series for the television film The Funny Side of Christmas.
Other credits are: The Growing Pains of PC Penrose and Rosie; Potter; The Magnificent Evans; Keeping Up Appearances, starring Patricia Routledge; Ain't Misbehavin'. He created and wrote the short-lived fantasy drama, 'The Wanderer' starring Bryan Brown, for Sky One. In 1974, he created the sitcom Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt from an idea by its star Bill Maynard. He wrote the pilot episode, but left to be replaced by Alan Plater when the programme went to series. He also wrote the well-received drama A Foreign Field (1993).
In 2013, Clarke resurrected Open All Hours for a sequel series, Still Open All Hours starring David Jason. Six series were broadcast.
In 2016, Clarke created a prequel to Keeping Up Appearances titled Young Hyacinth. The one-off episode premiered on 2 September 2016 on BBC One.
Personal life
right|thumb|Horton Rounds – the house on a circle
Clarke resided in the rural village of Sykehouse, near Goole, in the East Riding of Yorkshire For some years he owned Horton Rounds in Northamptonshire, a Grade II listed house designed by the Northamptonshire architect Arthur A. J. Marshman.
Awards and recognition
In 1994, Clarke was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Doncaster; the highest honour the Council can bestow. In the 2002 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to comedy drama. Clarke was awarded the lifetime achievement award at the 2010 British Comedy Awards. He was given a knighthood in the 2026 New Year Honours.