Phil Redmond

Last updated

Sir

Phil Redmond

CBE
Phil Redmond.jpg
Redmond in 2008
Born10 June 1949 (1949-06-10) (age 74) [1]
Huyton, Lancashire, England
Occupation Television producer, screenwriter
Language English
Nationality British
Alma mater University of Liverpool
Period1973–present
Genre Television
Notable works Grange Hill (BBC, 1978–2008)
Brookside (Channel 4, 1982–2003)
Hollyoaks (Channel 4, since 1995)
The Courtroom (Channel 4, 2004)
SpouseAlexis Redmond [2]

Sir Philip Redmond CBE (born 10 June 1949) is an English television producer and screenwriter from Huyton, England. He is known for creating the television series Grange Hill , Brookside and Hollyoaks . [3]

Contents

Early life

Redmond took the 11-plus and passed, but attended St Kevin's RC School in Northwood, Kirkby (it became All Saints Catholic High School, Kirkby). [4] His mother was a cleaner and his father was a bus driver.

He left school with four O-levels and one A-level and trained to become a quantity surveyor. He studied Sociology at the University of Liverpool. [5]

Career

Redmond wrote episodes for the ITV sitcom Doctor in Charge and children's series The Kids from 47A . [5] He became well known for creating several popular television series such as Grange Hill (BBC One, 1978–2008), for which he based his first ideas on his time at St Kevin's, Brookside (Channel 4, 1982–2003), Rownd a Rownd (S4C 1995–) and Hollyoaks (Channel 4, 1995–). For over twenty years he also ran his own independent production company, Mersey Television, before selling off the company in 2005. Redmond also created the daytime legal drama, The Courtroom , which was cancelled after 38 episodes.

In 2013, Redmond's autobiography, Mid-Term Report, was published. He released his first novel, Highbridge, in 2016. [6]

Honours

Redmond is an Ambassador Fellow at Liverpool John Moores University. [7]

In November 2010 he was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from the University of Chester. [8] [9]

He is Chair of National Museums Liverpool and of the UK City of Culture Independent Advisory Panel. [10]

In February 2012, Redmond declared an interest in running for the role of Elected Mayor of Liverpool. [11]

Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2004 Birthday Honours for services to drama, [12] he was knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting and arts in the regions. [13] [3]

Related Research Articles

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Grange Hill is a British children's television drama series, originally produced by the BBC and portraying life in a typical comprehensive school. The show began its run on 8 February 1978 on BBC1, and was one of the longest-running programmes on British television when it ended on 15 September 2008 after 31 series. It was created by Phil Redmond, who is also responsible for the Channel 4 dramas Brookside and Hollyoaks; other notable production team members down the years have included producer Colin Cant and script editor Anthony Minghella.

<i>Brookside</i> (TV series) British soap opera

Brookside is a British television soap opera, set in Liverpool, England, which began on the launch night of Channel 4, 2 November 1982. It ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003. It was produced by Mersey Television and conceived by Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond.

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<i>Hollyoaks</i> British soap opera

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Lime Pictures, formerly known as Mersey Television, is a British television production company, founded by producer and writer Phil Redmond in the early 1980s. They produce drama and entertainment shows, for the international market including Hollyoaks, The Only Way is Essex, Geordie Shore and Free Rein.

<i>Damon and Debbie</i> British TV series or programme

Damon and Debbie is a three-part spin-off from the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside first broadcast in November 1987. A Mersey Television production, it was written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, directed by Bob Carlton, and produced by Colin McKeown. The series is credited as the first 'soap bubble'.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Grant</span> Soap opera character

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References

  1. Researcha [ dead link ]
  2. "My week: Phil Redmond". theguardian.com. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Birthday Honours 2020: Marcus Rashford and Joe Wicks honoured alongside key workers". BBC News. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  4. Jeffries, Stuart (14 January 2016). "Brookside creator Phil Redmond: 'Northern powerhouse? Northern slaughterhouse, more like'". theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Phil Redmond: Grange Hill creator given knighthood". BBC News . 9 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  6. Lawson, Mark (14 January 2016). "Highbridge by Phil Redmond review – drugland drama from the creator of Hollyoaks". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  7. "Ambassador Fellow, Phil Redmond, receives Freedom of Liverpool". Liverpool John Moores University . Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  8. "Brookside veterans Phil Redmond and Sue Johnston reunited at graduation". chester.ac.uk. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  9. "Honorary Graduates 2010". 18 March 2019.
  10. Wintle, Angela (7 February 2016). "Phil Redmond: 'I was a Marxist - strongly opposed to inheritance tax'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  11. "Brookside Creator Enters Liverpool Mayor Race". salfordvotes.co.uk. 11 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  12. "Phil Redmond CBE". London Screenwriters' Festival . Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  13. "No. 63135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 October 2020. p. B2.