Graeme Curry

Died: 24th February 2019 (aged 61 years)
Episodes Broadcast: 1988

Biography

Graeme Curry was born in Padstow, Cornwall. His skill as a countertenor voice earned him a scholarship to Cambridge University, where he studied English. Curry specialised in ancient choral music, but he also began to work as a journalist, for which he won an award in 1982. In 1986, he married singer Tessa Bonner; although their relationship would not last, it did produce a daughter, Laura. Keen to expand his repertoire into creative writing, Curry began to develop a radio play about racism in sport called Over The Moon, which he entered into a scriptwriting competition. It proved to be the winning entry, and judge Tony Dinner of the BBC Script Unit encouraged Curry to send it to various production offices, including Doctor Who.

Following discussions with script editor Andrew Cartmel, Curry wrote the subversive The Happiness Patrol. The 1988 adventure pitted Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor against the tyrannical Helen A, a thinly-veiled parody of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Curry also novelised his scripts for Target Books. The same year, he enjoyed an on-screen cameo as a tourist in Silver Nemesis. Curry's other television scripts included episodes of The Bill and EastEnders. He continued to write for radio, while working as a stage manager and for several educational organisations. Sadly, Curry was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour which led to his death on February 24th, 2019. Shortly beforehand, he married his partner, Susan Robinson.

Credits
Writer
The Happiness Patrol

Updated 19th July 2021