August 24, 2011 13:17

'Monty Python' and 'Fawlty Towers' producer dies aged 72

John Howard Davies was responsible for a host of comedy classics

John Howard Davies, the producer of many of the BBC's greatest comedy successes, has passed away aged 72. His production credits include, among many others: Monty Python's Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers, Steptoe And Son, The Goodies and Mr Bean.

As well as producing, Davies also co-directed the first four episodes of the Monty Python television show as well as the first series of Fawlty Towers, including the classic episode The Germans.

In 1977 he was promoted to Head Of Comedy at the BBC. In this position he helped launch Only Fools And Horses, 'Allo 'Allo! and Yes, Minister.

By the mid-'80s Davies had left the BBC and joined Thames Television. There he helped create the huge hit Mr Bean with Rowan Atkinson. The show went on to sell in 245 different countries and spawned two feature films.

In 1946, aged nine, Davies took on the role of Oliver Twist in the classic David Lean adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. He stopped acting in 1958.

He died on Monday (August 22) and is survived by his wife, Linda, and a son and daughter.