Simon Carlyle, co-creator of Two Doors Down, has died aged 47 as the BBC paid tribute: ‘His warm comic voice shone through’
Simon Carlyle, co-creator of Two Doors Down, has died aged 47 as the BBC paid tribute: ‘His warm comic voice shone through’
Simon Carlyle, co-creator of Two Doors Down, has died at the age of 47.
The comedy writer’s death was confirmed by the BBC, which said it was “deeply saddened” by the news.
Simon wrote Two Doors Down with friend Gregor Sharp as a one-off special in 2013, before a full series was commissioned.
A seventh series of the Scottish comedy wrapped at the end of July and the show will move to BBC One later this year.
Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning at the BBC, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our friend and colleague Simon Carlyle.
Tragedy: Simon Carlyle, co-creator of Two Doors Down, has died aged 47
Critically acclaimed: The comedy writer penned Two Doors Down with friend Gregor Sharp as a one-off special in 2013, before making it into a full series
‘Simon was an amazing comedic talent who, among many other credits, co-created and wrote the multi-award-winning series Two Doors Down.
His warm comedic voice shone through these characters, garnering tremendous audience affection and firmly establishing it as a long-standing sitcom favorite. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, said: ‘All of us at BBC Scotland are deeply saddened to hear this news.
‘Simon was a great writing talent, loved for his work on Two Doors Down and many other series. Our thoughts are with Simon’s family and friends, and the cast and crew of Two Doors Down.”
The sitcom’s production team also said, “We are deeply saddened by this terrible news. Simon was a brilliant, funny, mercurial and magnificent human being.
“He had a microscopic fascination with what makes funny things funnier and we were lucky to have known him.
“He has been central to all the work we have created together and his loss will be deeply felt by all of us. We send love and support to his family and friends.”
In a 2018 interview with The Scottish Sun, Simon shared the difficulties he faced trying to jump-start his career as a comedy writer, even working as a passenger greeter at Glasgow Airport.
More on the way: A seventh series of the Scottish comedy will wrap up at the end of July, and the show will move to BBC One when it hits screens later this year
He said, “For the first 20 years you don’t really earn anything writing.
“I have college friends who became plumbers and make a lot of money with a big house and car and you wonder why you keep trying to write.”
Two Doors Down received record ratings for its Christmas special last year, with 2.8 million viewers over 30 days on all screens.
The show focuses on the middle-class neighborhood of Latimer Crescent in Glasgow, and the couple Eric and Beth Baird, played by Alex Norton and Arabella Weir.
The pair desperately try to avoid drama after drama from their loved ones and neighbors who want nothing more than to drop by without warning.