Alan Bleasdale

Alan Bleasdale, the Liverpudlian screenwriter and playwright, is in the spotlight this week as a stage version of his iconic 1980's TV series 'Boys from the Blackstuff' opened at the National Theatre. Born in Liverpool, an only child who first went into teaching, his first public work was 'Scully' for Radio Merseyside, a kind of Liverpudlian Adrian Mole, which he wrote whilst he was still teaching. But it was 'Boys from the Blackstuff' that made him a household name with one of the characters, Yosser Hughes' line 'Gissa job' providing a chant on the stands of his beloved Liverpool Football Club. His work has courted controversy with successive governments, although he says he's not political, only voting for the first time at the age of 38. Now in his late 70's and 40 years on from the original television series, he's back in the spotlight. Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues about his work, phobias and how to tell if you're having a heart attack. Presenter: Stephen SmithPRODUCTION TEAMProducers: Julie Ball and Diane Richardson Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: Bridget Harney Sound: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck ContributorsPeter Ansorge, former Script Producer, BBC Drama and Commissioning Editor, Drama C4James Graham, Playwright and ScreenwriterRobert Lindsay, ActorSir Michael Palin, Actor and AuthorTony Schumacher, Author and ScreenwriterTrevor Stent, former teaching colleague CREDITSBoys from the Blackstuff, BBC DramaDesert Island Discs, BBC R4GBH - Channel 4Scully's New Years Eve, BBC