Jon Canter

Jon Canter is an English television comedy writer for Lenny Henry and other leading comedians. Canter was born and brought up in the Jewish community of Golders Green, North London and studied law at the University of Cambridge where he became President of Footlights.

After a spell in advertising copywriting (and as a housemate of Douglas Adams)^[1] he became a freelance comedy writer, setting up home in Aldeburgh with his wife, painter Helen Napper. He became a principal writer for the comedian Lenny Henry, also writing for Dawn French, Angus Deayton, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, as well as script editor for Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.^[2][3] He co-wrote the 2003 BBC television satirical comedy Posh Nosh with the co-star Arabella Weir; and the BBC Radio 4 situation comedy Legal, Decent, Honest and Truthful with Guy Jenkin. He wote a Radio 4 Afternoon Play I Love Stephen Fry^[4] in 2008. He wrote for the ITV animated cartoon version of Mr. Bean, and the screenplay for the film Full Monty 2.

His first novel, Seeds of Greatness, a comic story inspired by his upbringing, was published in 2006 (ISBN 978-0-224-07773-6),^[5] and was abridged by Fiona McAlpine as a BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime.^[6] His subsequent novels have been A Short Gentleman (2008) and Worth (2011). An adaptation of A Short Gentleman was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012.^[7] Since 2008 he has been a regular contributor to The Guardian's comment pages.

References

1. Canter, Jon (2006-04-01). "The flatmate’s guide to the galaxy". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2007-03-24.
2. "Jon Canter". Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-25.
3. "BBC Guide to Comedy: A Bit of Fry and Laurie". Retrieved 2007-03-25.
4. BBC – Afternoon Play – I Love Stephen Fry
5. "In a flap with Hornby envy". The Guardian (London). 2006-04-02. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
6. BBC – Book at Bedtime – Seeds of Greatness
7. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0194n5n