William Dare Jones (16 May 1960 – 2 March 2025), known professionally as Bill Dare, was an English writer and producer of radio and television comedy programmes.

Early life and career

Bill Dare Jones was born in London on 16 May 1960, as the son of actor, screenwriter and broadcaster Peter Jones. He attended

Manchester University The University of Manchester is a public university, public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester city centre, Manchester City Centre on Wilmslow Road, Oxford Road. The University of Manchester is c ...

. Dare was an author and producer/devisor of various (mainly comedy) programmes mainly for BBC Radio and television, including ''

The Mary Whitehouse Experience The ''Mary Whitehouse Experience'' is a British topical sketch comedy show that the BBC produced in association with Spitting Image Productions. It starred two comedy double acts, one being David Baddiel and Rob Newman, the other Steve Punt an ...

'', '' Dead Ringers'', ''

The Now Show ''The Now Show'' is a British radio comedy programme on BBC Radio 4 which satirises the weekly news. The show, which ran from 1998 to 2024, is a mixture of stand-up, sketches and songs hosted by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. It features regular ...

'', ''

The Late Edition ''The Late Edition'' is a British television programme broadcast on BBC Four. It takes the form of a weekly topical chat show in the vein of ''The Daily Show'', presented by comedian Marcus Brigstocke. Each episode typically features comical ne ...

'', '' I've Never Seen Star Wars'' and ''

The Secret World ''The Secret World'' is a massively multiplayer online role-playing video game with a dark urban fantasy theme, in which players play characters defending the world from occult threats. Overview Ragnar Tørnquist led development of the initi ...

'', and ''

Brian Gulliver's Travels ''Brian Gulliver's Travels'' is a satirical comedy series and also a novel created and written by Bill Dare, first broadcast on 21 February 2011 on BBC Radio 4. A second series first broadcast on 25 June 2012 on BBC Radio 4 Extra. The series i ...

''. He was also the producer of eight series of ITV's ''

Spitting Image ''Spitting Image'' is a British satirical television puppet show, created by Peter Fluck, Roger Law and Martin Lambie-Nairn. First broadcast in 1984, the series was produced by 'Spitting Image Productions' for Central Independent Television ...

''. A notable feature of the radio version of ''Dead Ringers'' was

Jon Culshaw Jonathan Peter Culshaw (born 2 June 1968) is an English actor, comedian and Impressionist (entertainment), impressionist. He is best known for his work on the radio comedy ''Dead Ringers (comedy), Dead Ringers'' since 2000. Culshaw has voiced ...

imitating the voice of

Tom Baker Thomas Stewart Baker (born 20 January 1934) is an English actor and writer. He is best known for having played the Fourth Doctor, fourth and longest-serving incarnation of The Doctor (Doctor Who), the Doctor in the science fiction television ...

at the end of the credits, saying Dare's name in an exaggerated fashion.

Personal life and death

Dare had a daughter from a relationship with Mary Downes. Dare married Lucy Jagger in 2020. Dare died in an accident abroad on 2 March 2025. His death was announced by his agent two days later. He was 64. He received tributes from several comedians and industry colleagues. ''Dead Ringers'' star

remembered Dare as the "wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend."

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dare, Bill 1960 births 2025 deaths British radio writers British comedy writers British television writers British television producers British radio show creators British television show creators People educated at St John's School, Leatherhead Place of birth missing British satirists British satirical radio show creators British satirical television show creators