David Croft (TV producer) - Revision history

Kurt at 04:18, 13 February 2023

2023-02-13T04:18:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 12 February 2023
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	~~{{Short description\|English writer, producer and director (1922–2011)}}~~
	~~{{EngvarB\|date=February 2014}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2014}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\|honorific_prefix = [[w:Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]		\|honorific_prefix = [[Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]
	\|name = David Croft		\|name = David Croft
	\|honorific_suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]		\|honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]
	\|image = David Croft (TV producer).webp		\|image = David Croft (TV producer).webp
	\|caption =		\|caption =
	\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland		\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland
	\|birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}		\|birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}
	\|birth_place = [[w:Sandbanks\|Sandbanks]], [[w:Poole\|Poole]], Dorset, England		\|birth_place = [[Sandbanks\|Sandbanks]], [[Poole\|Poole]], Dorset, England
	\|death_date = {{Death date and age\|2011\|9\|27\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}		\|death_date = {{Death date and age\|2011\|9\|27\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}
	\|death_place = [[w:Tavira\|Tavira]], [[w:Portugal\|Portugal]]		\|death_place = [[Tavira\|Tavira]], [[Portugal\|Portugal]]
	\|other_names = David John Croft		\|other_names = David John Croft
	\|occupation = {{hlist\|Writer\|producer\|director\|actor}}		\|occupation = {{hlist\|Writer\|producer\|director\|actor}}
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	\|parents = Reginald Sharland<br>Annie Croft		\|parents = Reginald Sharland<br>Annie Croft
	\|website = [http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/ www.davidcroft.co.uk]		\|website = [http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/ www.davidcroft.co.uk]
	\|awards = [[w:British Comedy Awards\|British Comedy Awards]]<br>2003 Lifetime Achievement Award<br>[[w:Writers' Guild of Great Britain\|Writers' Guild of Great Britain]]<br> 1969 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''<br> 1970 Best Comedy Script ''Dad's Army''<br> 1971 Best Comedy Script ''Dad's Army''<br>Desmond Davies award (1981)		\|awards = [[British Comedy Awards\|British Comedy Awards]]<br>2003 Lifetime Achievement Award<br>[[Writers' Guild of Great Britain\|Writers' Guild of Great Britain]]<br> 1969 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''<br> 1970 Best Comedy Script ''Dad's Army''<br> 1971 Best Comedy Script ''Dad's Army''<br>Desmond Davies award (1981)
	}}		}}
	[[w:Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]] '''David John Croft''', {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|OBE}} (born '''David John Andrew Sharland'''; 7 September 1922 – 27 September 2011) was an English television comedy [[w:screenwriter\|screenwriter]], [[w:television producer\|producer]] and [[w:television director\|director]]. He produced and wrote a string of BBC sitcoms with partners [[Jimmy Perry]] and [[Jeremy Lloyd]], including ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''		[[Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]] '''David John Croft''', {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|OBE}} (born '''David John Andrew Sharland'''; 7 September 1922 – 27 September 2011) was an English television comedy [[screenwriter\|screenwriter]], [[television producer\|producer]] and [[television director\|director]]. He produced and wrote a string of BBC sitcoms with partners [[Jimmy Perry]] and [[Jeremy Lloyd]], including ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Croft was born into a [[w:show business\|show business]] family: his father, Reginald Sharland (1886–1944), had a successful career as a radio actor in Hollywood, and his mother, Annie Croft (1896–1959), was a famous stage actress who had starred in the 1927 [[w:silent film\|silent film]] ''On With The Dance,'' she was also the first woman to own a [[w:West End theatre\|West End theatre company.]] His first public appearance was at the age of seven, when he was seen in a commercial which aired in cinemas.<ref>Shown in ''[[w:Comedy Connections\|]]'' ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' and ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]''</ref> After that, his acting career in films "began and ended"<ref>according to his website</ref> with his uncredited appearance as Perkins in the film ''[[w:Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939 film)\|Goodbye, Mr. Chips]]'' (1939).		Croft was born into a [[show business\|show business]] family: his father, Reginald Sharland (1886–1944), had a successful career as a radio actor in Hollywood, and his mother, Annie Croft (1896–1959), was a famous stage actress who had starred in the 1927 [[silent film\|silent film]] ''On With The Dance,'' she was also the first woman to own a [[West End theatre\|West End theatre company.]] His first public appearance was at the age of seven, when he was seen in a commercial which aired in cinemas.<ref>Shown in ''[[Comedy Connections\|]]'' ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' and ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]''</ref> After that, his acting career in films "began and ended"<ref>according to his website</ref> with his uncredited appearance as Perkins in the film ''[[Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939 film)\|Goodbye, Mr. Chips]]'' (1939).

	Croft was educated at two [[w:independent school\|independent school]]s: at St John's Wood prep school in North London, followed by [[w:Rugby School\|Rugby School]] in Warwickshire.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/27/david-croft\|title=David Croft obituary\|first=Dennis\|last=Barker\|date=27 September 2011\|work=The Guardian\|access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> The boys attended Sunday services at St. Aldhelm's Church, and Croft later gave that name to the church in Dad's Army.		Croft was educated at two [[independent school\|independent school]]s: at St John's Wood prep school in North London, followed by [[Rugby School\|Rugby School]] in Warwickshire.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/27/david-croft\|title=David Croft obituary\|first=Dennis\|last=Barker\|date=27 September 2011\|work=The Guardian\|access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> The boys attended Sunday services at St. Aldhelm's Church, and Croft later gave that name to the church in Dad's Army.

	==Military service==		==Military service==
	He enlisted in the [[w:Royal Artillery\|Royal Artillery]] in 1942. He served during [[w:World War II\|the Second World War]] in North Africa, [[w:India\|India]] and Singapore. After contracting rheumatic fever in North Africa, was sent home to convalesce and then underwent officer training at the [[w:Royal Military College, Sandhurst\|Royal Military College]].		He enlisted in the [[Royal Artillery\|Royal Artillery]] in 1942. He served during [[World War II\|the Second World War]] in North Africa, [[India\|India]] and Singapore. After contracting rheumatic fever in North Africa, was sent home to convalesce and then underwent officer training at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst\|Royal Military College]].

	Croft was posted to India, arriving as the war in Europe ended, and was assigned to the [[w:Essex Regiment\|Essex Regiment]], rising to the rank of [[w:Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]. When his military service ended he began working in the entertainment industry, as an actor, singer and writer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|author=Simon Morgan-Russell\|title=Croft, David (1922–2011)\|date= Jan 2015 \|id= 104114\|url= http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/dnb/104114.html}}</ref>		Croft was posted to India, arriving as the war in Europe ended, and was assigned to the [[Essex Regiment\|Essex Regiment]], rising to the rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]. When his military service ended he began working in the entertainment industry, as an actor, singer and writer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|author=Simon Morgan-Russell\|title=Croft, David (1922–2011)\|date= Jan 2015 \|id= 104114\|url= http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/dnb/104114.html}}</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==
	Croft met [[w:Freddie Carpenter\|Freddie Carpenter]], who produced many pantomimes for Howard & Wyndham across the UK, resulting in Croft writing scripts such as ''Aladdin'', ''Cinderella'' and ''Babes in the Wood''. Through his lifelong friend, composer/conductor [[w:Cyril Ornadel\|Cyril Ornadel]], Croft met the producer [[w:Fiona Bentley\|Fiona Bentley]], who had obtained rights to adapt and musicalise a number of [[w:Beatrix Potter\|Beatrix Potter]] stories.<ref name=croft>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Biography/ \|title=David Croft Biography \|publisher=Davidcroft.co.uk \|date=1922-09-07 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Croft wrote the scripts and lyrics for a series released on [[w:His Master's Voice\|His Master's Voice]] Junior Record Club, narrated by [[w:Vivien Leigh\|Vivien Leigh]] and starring several singer-actors and actresses including Barbara Brown, [[Graham Stark]] and [[w:Cicely Courtneidge\|Cicely Courtneidge]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.minigroove.nl/english21.html \|title=minigroove - His Masters Voice / Junior Record Club - singles 7 \|publisher=Minigroove.nl \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> David Croft himself played a number of roles, including Timmy Willie in ''Johnny Town-Mouse'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg115 \|title=Vivien Leigh And Full Cast - Beatrix Potter-The Tale Of Johnny Town-Mouse - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|date=2012-12-03 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Kep in ''Jemima Puddle-Duck'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg110 \|title=Vivien Leigh and Cicely Courtneidge - Beatrix Potter - The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> and Old Brown in ''Squirrel Nutkin''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg106 \|title=Graham Stark - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>		Croft met [[Freddie Carpenter\|Freddie Carpenter]], who produced many pantomimes for Howard & Wyndham across the UK, resulting in Croft writing scripts such as ''Aladdin'', ''Cinderella'' and ''Babes in the Wood''. Through his lifelong friend, composer/conductor [[Cyril Ornadel\|Cyril Ornadel]], Croft met the producer [[Fiona Bentley\|Fiona Bentley]], who had obtained rights to adapt and musicalise a number of [[Beatrix Potter\|Beatrix Potter]] stories.<ref name=croft>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Biography/ \|title=David Croft Biography \|publisher=Davidcroft.co.uk \|date=1922-09-07 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Croft wrote the scripts and lyrics for a series released on [[His Master's Voice\|His Master's Voice]] Junior Record Club, narrated by [[Vivien Leigh\|Vivien Leigh]] and starring several singer-actors and actresses including Barbara Brown, [[Graham Stark]] and [[Cicely Courtneidge\|Cicely Courtneidge]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.minigroove.nl/english21.html \|title=minigroove - His Masters Voice / Junior Record Club - singles 7 \|publisher=Minigroove.nl \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> David Croft himself played a number of roles, including Timmy Willie in ''Johnny Town-Mouse'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg115 \|title=Vivien Leigh And Full Cast - Beatrix Potter-The Tale Of Johnny Town-Mouse - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|date=2012-12-03 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Kep in ''Jemima Puddle-Duck'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg110 \|title=Vivien Leigh and Cicely Courtneidge - Beatrix Potter - The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> and Old Brown in ''Squirrel Nutkin''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg106 \|title=Graham Stark - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>

	Croft relocated to the Northeast of England to work at [[w:ITV Tyne Tees\|Tyne Tees Television]], where he produced many editions of the variety show ''The One O'Clock Show''. For Tyne Tees, Croft also directed and produced the [[w:Infomercial\|admags]] ''Ned's Shed'' and ''Mary Goes to Market'', as well as producing his first sitcom, ''Under New Management'', set in a derelict pub in the North of England.<ref>{{harvnb\|Morgan-Russell\|2004\|p=11}}</ref>		Croft relocated to the Northeast of England to work at [[ITV Tyne Tees\|Tyne Tees Television]], where he produced many editions of the variety show ''The One O'Clock Show''. For Tyne Tees, Croft also directed and produced the [[Infomercial\|admags]] ''Ned's Shed'' and ''Mary Goes to Market'', as well as producing his first sitcom, ''Under New Management'', set in a derelict pub in the North of England.<ref>{{harvnb\|Morgan-Russell\|2004\|p=11}}</ref>

	After leaving Tyne Tees Television to work at the BBC in the mid-1960s, he produced several of the Corporation's sitcoms such as ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', ''[[A World of His Own (TV series)\|A World of His Own]]'', ''[[Up Pompeii!\|Further Up Pompeii!]]'' and ''[[Hugh and I]]''. It was while producing ''Hugh and I'' that he was introduced to actor [[Jimmy Perry]], who handed him an unsolicited script for a pilot called ''The Fighting Tigers'' about the [[w:British Home Guard\|British Home Guard]] during the Second World War. Croft liked the idea. The two men co-wrote nine series of the show, which was retitled ''[[Dad's Army]]'', as well as a feature film and a stage show based on it.<ref>official website/Biography</ref>		After leaving Tyne Tees Television to work at the BBC in the mid-1960s, he produced several of the Corporation's sitcoms such as ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', ''[[A World of His Own (TV series)\|A World of His Own]]'', ''[[Up Pompeii!\|Further Up Pompeii!]]'' and ''[[Hugh and I]]''. It was while producing ''Hugh and I'' that he was introduced to actor [[Jimmy Perry]], who handed him an unsolicited script for a pilot called ''The Fighting Tigers'' about the [[British Home Guard\|British Home Guard]] during the Second World War. Croft liked the idea. The two men co-wrote nine series of the show, which was retitled ''[[Dad's Army]]'', as well as a feature film and a stage show based on it.<ref>official website/Biography</ref>

	While ''Dad's Army'' was still running, Croft began to co-write ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' with [[Jeremy Lloyd]]. He was to continue both writing partnerships for the rest of his career in several hit series including ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[[You Rang M'Lord]]'' (with Perry) and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (with Lloyd). His last full series ''[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]'', broadcast from 1995 to 1997, was co-written with [[Richard Spendlove]]. He created a television pilot in 2007, entitled ''Here Comes The Queen'', with Jeremy Lloyd. This starred [[Wendy Richard]] and [[Les Dennis]], but the show was not continued as a series.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Here-Comes-The-Queen/\|title=Here Comes the Queen\|website=David Croft\|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Of these, ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' "was David’s and my favourite", Jimmy Perry told journalist Neil Clark for a ''[[The Daily Telegraph\|Daily Telegraph]]'' article in 2013.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10302174/Jimmy-Perry-turns-90-a-tribute-to-the-genius-behind-Dads-Army.html#disqus_thread\|title=Jimmy Perry turns 90: a tribute to the genius behind Dad's Army\|work=The Daily Telegraph\|location=London\|date=20 September 2013\|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref>		While ''Dad's Army'' was still running, Croft began to co-write ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' with [[Jeremy Lloyd]]. He was to continue both writing partnerships for the rest of his career in several hit series including ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[[You Rang M'Lord]]'' (with Perry) and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (with Lloyd). His last full series ''[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]'', broadcast from 1995 to 1997, was co-written with [[Richard Spendlove]]. He created a television pilot in 2007, entitled ''Here Comes The Queen'', with Jeremy Lloyd. This starred [[Wendy Richard]] and [[Les Dennis]], but the show was not continued as a series.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Here-Comes-The-Queen/\|title=Here Comes the Queen\|website=David Croft\|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Of these, ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' "was David’s and my favourite", Jimmy Perry told journalist Neil Clark for a ''[[The Daily Telegraph\|Daily Telegraph]]'' article in 2013.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10302174/Jimmy-Perry-turns-90-a-tribute-to-the-genius-behind-Dads-Army.html#disqus_thread\|title=Jimmy Perry turns 90: a tribute to the genius behind Dad's Army\|work=The Daily Telegraph\|location=London\|date=20 September 2013\|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref>
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	Croft married theatrical agent Ann Callender on 2 June 1952; the couple had seven children and sixteen grandchildren.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/203878/croft\|title=CROFT - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements\|website=announcements.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>Nicholas Croft, Penelope Croft, Jane Croft, Rebecca Croft, John Croft, Richard Croft and Timothy Croft. They had sixteen grandchildren.</ref> In 1986, one daughter, Rebecca, married [[Simon Cadell]], a star of Croft's comedy ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]''.<ref>{{cite news \|url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-simon-cadell-1340890.html\|title =Obituary: Simon Cadell\|date = 8 March 1996 \|first =Alexandra \|last =Younger\|newspaper =The Independent}}</ref>		Croft married theatrical agent Ann Callender on 2 June 1952; the couple had seven children and sixteen grandchildren.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/203878/croft\|title=CROFT - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements\|website=announcements.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>Nicholas Croft, Penelope Croft, Jane Croft, Rebecca Croft, John Croft, Richard Croft and Timothy Croft. They had sixteen grandchildren.</ref> In 1986, one daughter, Rebecca, married [[Simon Cadell]], a star of Croft's comedy ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]''.<ref>{{cite news \|url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-simon-cadell-1340890.html\|title =Obituary: Simon Cadell\|date = 8 March 1996 \|first =Alexandra \|last =Younger\|newspaper =The Independent}}</ref>

	Croft was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1995 when he was surprised by [[Michael Aspel]] outside [[Television Centre, London\|BBC Television Centre]].~~{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}~~		Croft was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1995 when he was surprised by [[Michael Aspel]] outside [[Television Centre, London\|BBC Television Centre]].

	David Croft died in his sleep on 27 September 2011, at his home in Portugal aged 89.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news\|author=BBC News\|title=Comedy creator David Croft dies aged 89\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15072847\|access-date=27 September 2011\|newspaper=BBC Online\|date=27 September 2011}}</ref> His widow Ann died on 11 June 2016.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>		David Croft died in his sleep on 27 September 2011, at his home in Portugal aged 89.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news\|author=BBC News\|title=Comedy creator David Croft dies aged 89\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15072847\|access-date=27 September 2011\|newspaper=BBC Online\|date=27 September 2011}}</ref> His widow Ann died on 11 June 2016.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-12-14T21:00:32Z

External links

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	{{David Croft}}		{{David Croft}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Croft, David}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Croft, David}}

Kurt at 17:29, 2 October 2022

2022-10-02T17:29:59Z

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	\|name = David Croft		\|name = David Croft
	\|honorific_suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]		\|honorific_suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]
	\|image = David Croft (TV producer.webp		\|image = David Croft (TV producer).webp
	\|caption =		\|caption =
	\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland		\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland
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	\|occupation = {{hlist\|Writer\|producer\|director\|actor}}		\|occupation = {{hlist\|Writer\|producer\|director\|actor}}
	\|years_active = 1939–2011		\|years_active = 1939–2011
	\|spouse = {{marriage\|Ann Callender~~<br>~~\|1952}}		\|spouse = {{marriage\|Ann Callender\|1952}}
	\|children = 7		\|children = 7
	\|parents = Reginald Sharland<br>Annie Croft		\|parents = Reginald Sharland<br>Annie Croft

Kurt at 17:28, 2 October 2022

2022-10-02T17:28:46Z

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	\|name = David Croft		\|name = David Croft
	\|honorific_suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]		\|honorific_suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]
	\|image = David Croft~~, May 2011~~.~~jpg~~		\|image = David Croft (TV producer.webp
	\|caption = ~~Croft in May 2011~~		\|caption =
	\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland		\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland
	\|birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}		\|birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}

Kurt at 20:58, 31 August 2022

2022-08-31T20:58:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 31 August 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2014}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2014}}
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\|honorific_prefix = [[Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]		\|honorific_prefix = [[w:Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]
	\|name = David Croft		\|name = David Croft
	\|honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]		\|honorific_suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]]
	\|image = David Croft, May 2011.jpg		\|image = David Croft, May 2011.jpg
	\|caption = Croft in May 2011		\|caption = Croft in May 2011
	\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland		\|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland
	\|birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}		\|birth_date = {{Birth date\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}
	\|birth_place = [[Sandbanks]], [[Poole]], Dorset, England		\|birth_place = [[w:Sandbanks\|Sandbanks]], [[w:Poole\|Poole]], Dorset, England
	\|death_date = {{Death date and age\|2011\|9\|27\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}		\|death_date = {{Death date and age\|2011\|9\|27\|1922\|9\|7\|df=y}}
	\|death_place = [[Tavira]], [[Portugal]]		\|death_place = [[w:Tavira\|Tavira]], [[w:Portugal\|Portugal]]
	\|other_names = David John Croft		\|other_names = David John Croft
	\|occupation = {{hlist\|Writer\|producer\|director\|actor}}		\|occupation = {{hlist\|Writer\|producer\|director\|actor}}
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	\|parents = Reginald Sharland<br>Annie Croft		\|parents = Reginald Sharland<br>Annie Croft
	\|website = [http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/ www.davidcroft.co.uk]		\|website = [http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/ www.davidcroft.co.uk]
	\|awards = [[British Comedy Awards]]<br>2003 Lifetime Achievement Award<br>[[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]]<br> 1969 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''<br> 1970 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''<br> 1971 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''<br>Desmond Davies award (1981)		\|awards = [[w:British Comedy Awards\|British Comedy Awards]]<br>2003 Lifetime Achievement Award<br>[[w:Writers' Guild of Great Britain\|Writers' Guild of Great Britain]]<br> 1969 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''<br> 1970 Best Comedy Script ''Dad's Army''<br> 1971 Best Comedy Script ''Dad's Army''<br>Desmond Davies award (1981)
	}}		}}
	[[Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]] '''David John Croft''', {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|OBE}} (born '''David John Andrew Sharland'''; 7 September 1922 – 27 September 2011) was an English television comedy [[screenwriter]], [[television producer\|producer]] and [[television director\|director]]. He produced and wrote a string of BBC sitcoms with partners [[Jimmy Perry]] and [[Jeremy Lloyd]], including ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''		[[w:Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]] '''David John Croft''', {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|OBE}} (born '''David John Andrew Sharland'''; 7 September 1922 – 27 September 2011) was an English television comedy [[w:screenwriter\|screenwriter]], [[w:television producer\|producer]] and [[w:television director\|director]]. He produced and wrote a string of BBC sitcoms with partners [[Jimmy Perry]] and [[Jeremy Lloyd]], including ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Croft was born into a [[show business]] family: his father, Reginald Sharland (1886–1944), had a successful career as a radio actor in Hollywood, and his mother, Annie Croft (1896–1959), was a famous stage actress who had starred in the 1927 [[silent film]] ''On With The Dance,'' she was also the first woman to own a [[West End theatre\|West End theatre company.]] His first public appearance was at the age of seven, when he was seen in a commercial which aired in cinemas.<ref>Shown in ''[[Comedy Connections]]'' ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' and ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]''</ref> After that, his acting career in films "began and ended"<ref>according to his website</ref> with his uncredited appearance as Perkins in the film ''[[Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939 film)\|Goodbye, Mr. Chips]]'' (1939).		Croft was born into a [[w:show business\|show business]] family: his father, Reginald Sharland (1886–1944), had a successful career as a radio actor in Hollywood, and his mother, Annie Croft (1896–1959), was a famous stage actress who had starred in the 1927 [[w:silent film\|silent film]] ''On With The Dance,'' she was also the first woman to own a [[w:West End theatre\|West End theatre company.]] His first public appearance was at the age of seven, when he was seen in a commercial which aired in cinemas.<ref>Shown in ''[[w:Comedy Connections\|]]'' ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' and ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]''</ref> After that, his acting career in films "began and ended"<ref>according to his website</ref> with his uncredited appearance as Perkins in the film ''[[w:Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939 film)\|Goodbye, Mr. Chips]]'' (1939).

	Croft was educated at two [[independent school]]s: at St John's Wood prep school in North London, followed by [[Rugby School]] in Warwickshire.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/27/david-croft\|title=David Croft obituary\|first=Dennis\|last=Barker\|date=27 September 2011\|work=The Guardian\|access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> The boys attended Sunday services at St. Aldhelm's Church, and Croft later gave that name to the church in Dad's Army.		Croft was educated at two [[w:independent school\|independent school]]s: at St John's Wood prep school in North London, followed by [[w:Rugby School\|Rugby School]] in Warwickshire.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/27/david-croft\|title=David Croft obituary\|first=Dennis\|last=Barker\|date=27 September 2011\|work=The Guardian\|access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> The boys attended Sunday services at St. Aldhelm's Church, and Croft later gave that name to the church in Dad's Army.

	==Military service==		==Military service==
	He enlisted in the [[Royal Artillery]] in 1942. He served during [[World War II\|the Second World War]] in North Africa, [[India]] and Singapore. After contracting rheumatic fever in North Africa, was sent home to convalesce and then underwent officer training at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]].		He enlisted in the [[w:Royal Artillery\|Royal Artillery]] in 1942. He served during [[w:World War II\|the Second World War]] in North Africa, [[w:India\|India]] and Singapore. After contracting rheumatic fever in North Africa, was sent home to convalesce and then underwent officer training at the [[w:Royal Military College, Sandhurst\|Royal Military College]].

	Croft was posted to India, arriving as the war in Europe ended, and was assigned to the [[Essex Regiment]], rising to the rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]. When his military service ended he began working in the entertainment industry, as an actor, singer and writer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|author=Simon Morgan-Russell\|title=Croft, David (1922–2011)\|date= Jan 2015 \|id= 104114\|url= http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/dnb/104114.html}}</ref>		Croft was posted to India, arriving as the war in Europe ended, and was assigned to the [[w:Essex Regiment\|Essex Regiment]], rising to the rank of [[w:Major (United Kingdom)\|Major]]. When his military service ended he began working in the entertainment industry, as an actor, singer and writer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|author=Simon Morgan-Russell\|title=Croft, David (1922–2011)\|date= Jan 2015 \|id= 104114\|url= http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/dnb/104114.html}}</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==
	Croft met [[Freddie Carpenter]], who produced many pantomimes for Howard & Wyndham across the UK, resulting in Croft writing scripts such as ''Aladdin'', ''Cinderella'' and ''Babes in the Wood''. Through his lifelong friend, composer/conductor [[Cyril Ornadel]], Croft met the producer [[Fiona Bentley]], who had obtained rights to adapt and musicalise a number of [[Beatrix Potter]] stories.<ref name=croft>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Biography/ \|title=David Croft Biography \|publisher=Davidcroft.co.uk \|date=1922-09-07 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Croft wrote the scripts and lyrics for a series released on [[His Master's Voice]] Junior Record Club, narrated by [[Vivien Leigh]] and starring several singer-actors and actresses including Barbara Brown, [[Graham Stark]] and [[Cicely Courtneidge]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.minigroove.nl/english21.html \|title=minigroove - His Masters Voice / Junior Record Club - singles 7 \|publisher=Minigroove.nl \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> David Croft himself played a number of roles, including Timmy Willie in ''Johnny Town-Mouse'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg115 \|title=Vivien Leigh And Full Cast - Beatrix Potter-The Tale Of Johnny Town-Mouse - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|date=2012-12-03 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Kep in ''Jemima Puddle-Duck'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg110 \|title=Vivien Leigh ~~And~~ Cicely Courtneidge - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> and Old Brown in ''Squirrel Nutkin''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg106 \|title=Graham Stark - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>		Croft met [[w:Freddie Carpenter\|Freddie Carpenter]], who produced many pantomimes for Howard & Wyndham across the UK, resulting in Croft writing scripts such as ''Aladdin'', ''Cinderella'' and ''Babes in the Wood''. Through his lifelong friend, composer/conductor [[w:Cyril Ornadel\|Cyril Ornadel]], Croft met the producer [[w:Fiona Bentley\|Fiona Bentley]], who had obtained rights to adapt and musicalise a number of [[w:Beatrix Potter\|Beatrix Potter]] stories.<ref name=croft>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Biography/ \|title=David Croft Biography \|publisher=Davidcroft.co.uk \|date=1922-09-07 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Croft wrote the scripts and lyrics for a series released on [[w:His Master's Voice\|His Master's Voice]] Junior Record Club, narrated by [[w:Vivien Leigh\|Vivien Leigh]] and starring several singer-actors and actresses including Barbara Brown, [[Graham Stark]] and [[w:Cicely Courtneidge\|Cicely Courtneidge]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.minigroove.nl/english21.html \|title=minigroove - His Masters Voice / Junior Record Club - singles 7 \|publisher=Minigroove.nl \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> David Croft himself played a number of roles, including Timmy Willie in ''Johnny Town-Mouse'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg115 \|title=Vivien Leigh And Full Cast - Beatrix Potter-The Tale Of Johnny Town-Mouse - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|date=2012-12-03 \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Kep in ''Jemima Puddle-Duck'',<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg110 \|title=Vivien Leigh and Cicely Courtneidge - Beatrix Potter - The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> and Old Brown in ''Squirrel Nutkin''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg106 \|title=Graham Stark - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin - HMV Junior Record Club - UK \|publisher=45cat \|access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>

	Croft relocated to the Northeast of England to work at [[ITV Tyne Tees\|Tyne Tees Television]], where he produced many editions of the variety show ''The One O'Clock Show''. For Tyne Tees, Croft also directed and produced the [[Infomercial\|admags]] ''Ned's Shed'' and ''Mary Goes to Market'', as well as producing his first sitcom, ''Under New Management'', set in a derelict pub in the North of England.<ref>{{harvnb\|Morgan-Russell\|2004\|p=11}}</ref>		Croft relocated to the Northeast of England to work at [[w:ITV Tyne Tees\|Tyne Tees Television]], where he produced many editions of the variety show ''The One O'Clock Show''. For Tyne Tees, Croft also directed and produced the [[w:Infomercial\|admags]] ''Ned's Shed'' and ''Mary Goes to Market'', as well as producing his first sitcom, ''Under New Management'', set in a derelict pub in the North of England.<ref>{{harvnb\|Morgan-Russell\|2004\|p=11}}</ref>

	After leaving Tyne Tees Television to work at the BBC in the mid-1960s, he produced several of the Corporation's sitcoms such as ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', ''[[A World of His Own (TV series)\|A World of His Own]]'', ''[[Up Pompeii!\|Further Up Pompeii!]]'' and ''[[Hugh and I]]''. It was while producing ''Hugh and I'' that he was introduced to actor [[Jimmy Perry]], who handed him an unsolicited script for a pilot called ''The Fighting Tigers'' about the [[British Home Guard]] during the Second World War. Croft liked the idea. The two men co-wrote nine series of the show, which was retitled ''[[Dad's Army]]'', as well as a feature film and a stage show based on it.<ref>official website/Biography</ref>		After leaving Tyne Tees Television to work at the BBC in the mid-1960s, he produced several of the Corporation's sitcoms such as ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', ''[[A World of His Own (TV series)\|A World of His Own]]'', ''[[Up Pompeii!\|Further Up Pompeii!]]'' and ''[[Hugh and I]]''. It was while producing ''Hugh and I'' that he was introduced to actor [[Jimmy Perry]], who handed him an unsolicited script for a pilot called ''The Fighting Tigers'' about the [[w:British Home Guard\|British Home Guard]] during the Second World War. Croft liked the idea. The two men co-wrote nine series of the show, which was retitled ''[[Dad's Army]]'', as well as a feature film and a stage show based on it.<ref>official website/Biography</ref>

	While ''Dad's Army'' was still running, Croft began to co-write ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' with [[Jeremy Lloyd]]. He was to continue both writing partnerships for the rest of his career in several hit series including ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[[You Rang M'Lord]]'' (with Perry) and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (with Lloyd). His last full series ''[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]'', broadcast from 1995 to 1997, was co-written with [[Richard Spendlove]]. He created a television pilot in 2007, entitled ''Here Comes The Queen'', with Jeremy Lloyd. This starred [[Wendy Richard]] and [[Les Dennis]], but the show was not continued as a series.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Here-Comes-The-Queen/\|title=Here Comes the Queen\|website=David Croft\|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Of these, ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' "was David’s and my favourite", Jimmy Perry told journalist Neil Clark for a ''[[The Daily Telegraph\|Daily Telegraph]]'' article in 2013.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10302174/Jimmy-Perry-turns-90-a-tribute-to-the-genius-behind-Dads-Army.html#disqus_thread\|title=Jimmy Perry turns 90: a tribute to the genius behind Dad's Army\|work=The Daily Telegraph\|location=London\|date=20 September 2013\|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref>		While ''Dad's Army'' was still running, Croft began to co-write ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' with [[Jeremy Lloyd]]. He was to continue both writing partnerships for the rest of his career in several hit series including ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[[You Rang M'Lord]]'' (with Perry) and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (with Lloyd). His last full series ''[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]'', broadcast from 1995 to 1997, was co-written with [[Richard Spendlove]]. He created a television pilot in 2007, entitled ''Here Comes The Queen'', with Jeremy Lloyd. This starred [[Wendy Richard]] and [[Les Dennis]], but the show was not continued as a series.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Here-Comes-The-Queen/\|title=Here Comes the Queen\|website=David Croft\|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Of these, ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' "was David’s and my favourite", Jimmy Perry told journalist Neil Clark for a ''[[The Daily Telegraph\|Daily Telegraph]]'' article in 2013.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Clark\|first=Neil\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10302174/Jimmy-Perry-turns-90-a-tribute-to-the-genius-behind-Dads-Army.html#disqus_thread\|title=Jimmy Perry turns 90: a tribute to the genius behind Dad's Army\|work=The Daily Telegraph\|location=London\|date=20 September 2013\|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref>

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{{Short description|English writer, producer and director (1922–2011)}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox person
|honorific_prefix = [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]]
|name = David Croft
|honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]]
|image = David Croft, May 2011.jpg
|caption = Croft in May 2011
|birth_name = David John Andrew Sharland
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1922|9|7|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Sandbanks]], [[Poole]], Dorset, England
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2011|9|27|1922|9|7|df=y}}
|death_place = [[Tavira]], [[Portugal]]
|other_names = David John Croft
|occupation = {{hlist|Writer|producer|director|actor}}
|years_active = 1939–2011
|spouse = {{marriage|Ann Callender |1952}}
|children = 7
|parents = Reginald Sharland Annie Croft
|website = [http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/ www.davidcroft.co.uk]
|awards = [[British Comedy Awards]] 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] 1969 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]'' 1970 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]'' 1971 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]'' Desmond Davies award (1981)
}}
[[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] '''David John Croft''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|commas=on|OBE}} (born '''David John Andrew Sharland'''; 7 September 1922 – 27 September 2011) was an English television comedy [[screenwriter]], [[television producer|producer]] and [[television director|director]]. He produced and wrote a string of BBC sitcoms with partners [[Jimmy Perry]] and [[Jeremy Lloyd]], including ''[[Dad's Army]]'', ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''

==Early life==
Croft was born into a [[show business]] family: his father, Reginald Sharland (1886–1944), had a successful career as a radio actor in Hollywood, and his mother, Annie Croft (1896–1959), was a famous stage actress who had starred in the 1927 [[silent film]] ''On With The Dance,'' she was also the first woman to own a [[West End theatre|West End theatre company.]] His first public appearance was at the age of seven, when he was seen in a commercial which aired in cinemas.<ref>Shown in ''[[Comedy Connections]]'' ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' and ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]''</ref> After that, his acting career in films "began and ended"<ref>according to his website</ref> with his uncredited appearance as Perkins in the film ''[[Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939 film)|Goodbye, Mr. Chips]]'' (1939).

Croft was educated at two [[independent school]]s: at St John's Wood prep school in North London, followed by [[Rugby School]] in Warwickshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/27/david-croft|title=David Croft obituary|first=Dennis|last=Barker|date=27 September 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> The boys attended Sunday services at St. Aldhelm's Church, and Croft later gave that name to the church in Dad's Army.

==Military service==
He enlisted in the [[Royal Artillery]] in 1942. He served during [[World War II|the Second World War]] in North Africa, [[India]] and Singapore. After contracting rheumatic fever in North Africa, was sent home to convalesce and then underwent officer training at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]].

Croft was posted to India, arriving as the war in Europe ended, and was assigned to the [[Essex Regiment]], rising to the rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]]. When his military service ended he began working in the entertainment industry, as an actor, singer and writer.<ref>{{cite ODNB|author=Simon Morgan-Russell|title=Croft, David (1922–2011)|date= Jan 2015 |id= 104114|url= http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/dnb/104114.html}}</ref>

==Career==
Croft met [[Freddie Carpenter]], who produced many pantomimes for Howard & Wyndham across the UK, resulting in Croft writing scripts such as ''Aladdin'', ''Cinderella'' and ''Babes in the Wood''. Through his lifelong friend, composer/conductor [[Cyril Ornadel]], Croft met the producer [[Fiona Bentley]], who had obtained rights to adapt and musicalise a number of [[Beatrix Potter]] stories.<ref name=croft>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Biography/ |title=David Croft Biography |publisher=Davidcroft.co.uk |date=1922-09-07 |access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Croft wrote the scripts and lyrics for a series released on [[His Master's Voice]] Junior Record Club, narrated by [[Vivien Leigh]] and starring several singer-actors and actresses including Barbara Brown, [[Graham Stark]] and [[Cicely Courtneidge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minigroove.nl/english21.html |title=minigroove - His Masters Voice / Junior Record Club - singles 7 |publisher=Minigroove.nl |access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> David Croft himself played a number of roles, including Timmy Willie in ''Johnny Town-Mouse'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg115 |title=Vivien Leigh And Full Cast - Beatrix Potter-The Tale Of Johnny Town-Mouse - HMV Junior Record Club - UK |publisher=45cat |date=2012-12-03 |access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> Kep in ''Jemima Puddle-Duck'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg110 |title=Vivien Leigh And Cicely Courtneidge - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck - HMV Junior Record Club - UK |publisher=45cat |access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref> and Old Brown in ''Squirrel Nutkin''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7eg106 |title=Graham Stark - Beatrix Potter - The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin - HMV Junior Record Club - UK |publisher=45cat |access-date=2016-03-17}}</ref>

Croft relocated to the Northeast of England to work at [[ITV Tyne Tees|Tyne Tees Television]], where he produced many editions of the variety show ''The One O'Clock Show''. For Tyne Tees, Croft also directed and produced the [[Infomercial|admags]] ''Ned's Shed'' and ''Mary Goes to Market'', as well as producing his first sitcom, ''Under New Management'', set in a derelict pub in the North of England.<ref>{{harvnb|Morgan-Russell|2004|p=11}}</ref>

After leaving Tyne Tees Television to work at the BBC in the mid-1960s, he produced several of the Corporation's sitcoms such as ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', ''[[A World of His Own (TV series)|A World of His Own]]'', ''[[Up Pompeii!|Further Up Pompeii!]]'' and ''[[Hugh and I]]''. It was while producing ''Hugh and I'' that he was introduced to actor [[Jimmy Perry]], who handed him an unsolicited script for a pilot called ''The Fighting Tigers'' about the [[British Home Guard]] during the Second World War. Croft liked the idea. The two men co-wrote nine series of the show, which was retitled ''[[Dad's Army]]'', as well as a feature film and a stage show based on it.<ref>official website/Biography</ref>

While ''Dad's Army'' was still running, Croft began to co-write ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' with [[Jeremy Lloyd]]. He was to continue both writing partnerships for the rest of his career in several hit series including ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'', ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' and ''[[You Rang M'Lord]]'' (with Perry) and ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (with Lloyd). His last full series ''[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]'', broadcast from 1995 to 1997, was co-written with [[Richard Spendlove]]. He created a television pilot in 2007, entitled ''Here Comes The Queen'', with Jeremy Lloyd. This starred [[Wendy Richard]] and [[Les Dennis]], but the show was not continued as a series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidcroft.co.uk/Here-Comes-The-Queen/|title=Here Comes the Queen|website=David Croft|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Of these, ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]'' "was David’s and my favourite", Jimmy Perry told journalist Neil Clark for a ''[[The Daily Telegraph|Daily Telegraph]]'' article in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Neil|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10302174/Jimmy-Perry-turns-90-a-tribute-to-the-genius-behind-Dads-Army.html#disqus_thread|title=Jimmy Perry turns 90: a tribute to the genius behind Dad's Army|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=20 September 2013|access-date=20 September 2013}}</ref>

As a producer, Croft's regular practice was to signal the end of an episode with the caption "You have been watching ...", followed by shots of the main cast.

==Personal life==
Croft married theatrical agent Ann Callender on 2 June 1952; the couple had seven children and sixteen grandchildren.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/203878/croft|title=CROFT - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements|website=announcements.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>Nicholas Croft, Penelope Croft, Jane Croft, Rebecca Croft, John Croft, Richard Croft and Timothy Croft. They had sixteen grandchildren.</ref> In 1986, one daughter, Rebecca, married [[Simon Cadell]], a star of Croft's comedy ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-simon-cadell-1340890.html|title =Obituary: Simon Cadell|date = 8 March 1996 |first =Alexandra |last =Younger|newspaper =The Independent}}</ref>

Croft was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1995 when he was surprised by [[Michael Aspel]] outside [[Television Centre, London|BBC Television Centre]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

David Croft died in his sleep on 27 September 2011, at his home in Portugal aged 89.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news|author=BBC News|title=Comedy creator David Croft dies aged 89|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15072847|access-date=27 September 2011|newspaper=BBC Online|date=27 September 2011}}</ref> His widow Ann died on 11 June 2016.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>

==Awards and honours==
Croft became an [[Order of the British Empire|Officer of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire]] with Jimmy Perry in 1978 for services to television. He also received the 1981 ''Desmond Davis award'' from the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]], for his outstanding contributions to the industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/explore?sq=David%20Croft|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref>

Croft's awards include:
*(BAFTA awards): '''Best Light Entertainment''' Nominated: 1970 ''[[Dad's Army]]'' '''Best Light Entertainment Production''' 1971 ''[[Dad's Army]]'' (With Team) Nominated: 1971 ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' '''Best Situation Comedy Series''' Nominated: 1973 ''[[Dad's Army]]'' Nominated: 1974 ''[[Dad's Army]]'' '''Best Situation Comedy''' Nominated: 1975 ''[[Dad's Army]]'' Nominated: 1977 ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'' '''Desmond Davis Award''' 1982 Lifetime Achievement Award '''Best Comedy Series''' Nominated: 1982 ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' Nominated: 1983 ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' Nominated: 1985 ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' Nominated: 1986 ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' Nominated: 1987 ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' Nominated: 1988 ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' Nominated: 1989 ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''
* ([[British Comedy Awards]]): 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] 1969 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]'' 1970 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]'' 1971 Best Comedy Script ''[[Dad's Army]]''

==Production and writing career==
In addition to writing most of the episodes of these television series, Croft also worked as producer, director and, later, executive producer.

===Written with Jimmy Perry===
*1968–1977 ''[[Dad's Army]]''
*1974–1981 ''[[It Ain't Half Hot Mum]]''
*1980–1988 ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]''
*1988–1993 ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]''

===Written with Jeremy Lloyd===
*1972–1985 ''[[Are You Being Served?]]''
*1977–1978 ''[[Come Back Mrs Noah]]''
*1980 ''[[Oh Happy Band!]]''
*1982–1992 ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (Series 1–6)
*1992–1993 ''[[Grace and Favour]]''
*1994 ''[[Which Way to the War]]''
*2008 ''[[Here Comes the Queen]]''

===Written with Richard Spendlove ===
* 1995-1997 ''[[Oh, Doctor Beeching!]]''

===Written by himself===
*1972 ''[[Birds in the Bush]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{Cite book |first=Simon|last=Morgan-Russell |title=Jimmy Perry and David Croft
|location=Manchester |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-7190-6556-9}}

==External links==
*[http://www.davidcroft.co.uk Official Homepage]
*{{IMDb name|0188462|David Croft}}
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/croft_david.shtml List of works at the BBC Guide to Comedy]{{dead link|date=July 2022}}
*[http://www.uktv.co.uk/?uktv=standarditem.index&aID=529576 Biography at UKTV]{{dead link|date=July 2022}}
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/8792492/David-Croft.html Obituary of David Croft, The Daily Telegraph, 27 September 2011]
*[https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/sep/27/david-croft Obituary of David Croft, The Guardian, 27 September 2011]
*{{British Comedy Guide|people|david_croft}}

{{David Croft}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Croft, David}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:BBC television producers]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:David Croft sitcoms| ]]
[[Category:English comedy writers]]
[[Category:English television directors]]
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[[Category:English television writers]]
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[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People educated at Rugby School]]
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