How We Met: Ray Galton & Alan Simpson | The Independent

How We Met: Ray Galton & Alan Simpson | The Independent

The British comedy writing duo who brought us Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe and Son met as teenagers in a tuberculosis sanitarium and bonded over their shared love of American comedy on the American Forces Network -- "Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Don Ameche."

Simpson: "Sometimes we'll reminisce. Some of my fondest memories are from the Hancock days. He was a dream to work with - one of those rare performers who could read something perfectly first time. He had his problems and was never a great party man, but he was funny. When we had readings with Hancock, Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Bill Kerr - some of the biggest laughers in the business - they would be on their knees roaring, eyes watering. It was incredible, and Ray and I would stand there like kids thinking, 'We did that.'"