John Elliot (author)

John Herbert Elliot (4 July 1918 – 14 August 1997) was a British novelist, screenwriter, director and television producer[1] who, between 1954 and 1960, scripted a succession of one-off television plays including War in the Air and A Man from the Sun.[2][3] The latter was a pioneering work aimed at a West Indian audience.[4] In 1961 he joined with astronomer Fred Hoyle (for scientific authenticity) to write another ground-breaking TV science fiction serial A for Andromeda, which set the tone for what was to follow in its stead. The success of A For Andromeda prompted a sequel, The Andromeda Breakthrough, in 1962.[5]

Following Andromeda, Elliot wrote more one-off plays, but his talents were perhaps underused by the BBC. He resigned from the corporation in 1963 but, as a parting gift, offered an option on his concept for the drama series Mogul (renamed The Troubleshooters from the second series) for which he wrote much of the seven series.[6]

His other works include programmes such as Fall of Eagles and Survival as well as novels including Duel, Blood Upon the Snow, A For Andromeda and The Andromeda Breakthrough (also co-written with Fred Hoyle).[7]