Maurice Sellar

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Maurice Sellar is a writer, television producer and radio impresario. He was instrumental in the early careers of a number of stars such as Kenny Everett^[1] and Marty Feldman. He has written for comedians such as The Two Ronnies, Spike Milligan ^[2], Harry Worth, Reg Varney^[3] and Frankie Howerd^[4]. He started his career on stage as part of the post Marx Brothers trio Morris, Marty (Marty Feldman) and Mitch who recorded a number of satirical records published on Decca Records. He is also accredited with introducing commercial radio to the UK. He was rumoured to have been a significant shareholder in Radio Caroline, the lead producer of many shows on Wonderful Radio London as well as performing in a number of on-air comedy sketches as an impersonator of contemporary public figures. Between 1966 and 1969 he ran a prolific and influential London nightclub in Oxford Street, London, known as Tiles ^[5]. Tiles was a first of its time and a rival to The Marquee. Tiles introduced the concept of fashion outlets within the confines of a trendy nightclub, the dancefloor had a unique tiled dance floor, stage and bar sprawling over 10,000 sq ft underneath Oxford Street. Artists that performed there on a regular basis were The Who, The Animals and The Rolling Stones. Otis Reading played his last ever UK gig at the club before his untimely death in 1967.

Maurice went on to write two best selling novels namely The Allies and The Front Man. Based on Second World War fact these fictional novels sold in over 13 countries and The Front Man has recently been reprinted in the USA.

Maurice then focussed on writing and producing the successful BBC 1 television series Best of British ^[6]. This epic compilation show profiling the British Film Industry was narrated by Sir John Mills and its cutting edge linked themed format ran for 67 episodes and was edited by Lou Jones. Lou Jones is Maurice's wife whose career began as a model and actress from Maesteg in South Wales and assumed this stage name due to perceived sexual inequality in the cinematographic industry at the time.

Initially pushed into dental school after his compulsory national service, Maurice went on to become a trailblazer for what is now commonly referred to as alternative comedy subsequently influencing the next generation of surrealist comedians such as Monty Python.

He now spends his time between his homes in Holland Park and the South Coast with his wife.