The British theatre and comedy world is mourning the loss of John Antrobus, the celebrated playwright and scriptwriter who was a key collaborator with Spike Milligan on The Goon Show. He passed away on 14 December 2025 at the age of 90.
From National Service to The Goon Show
Born in 1935, Antrobus's early life was shaped by National Service, an experience that would later fuel his darkly comic and absurdist perspective. His career breakthrough came in the late 1950s when he began writing for the legendary radio programme, The Goon Show, working alongside the anarchic genius of Spike Milligan. This partnership was the foundation of a lifelong friendship and creative alliance.
Their collaboration extended beyond radio, most notably to the stage. In 1963, they co-wrote the groundbreaking play The Bed-Sitting Room. A surreal satire on post-nuclear Britain, it became a defining work of absurdist theatre and was later adapted into a film starring Milligan and Peter Cook.
A Prolific and Unconventional Playwriting Career
Antrobus forged a distinctive path as a playwright, often exploring themes of existential dread and societal breakdown with a unique comic voice. His notable works included Why Bournemouth? and You'll Come to Love Your Sperm Test. The latter, a dark comedy about a man undergoing fertility testing, premiered at the Edinburgh festival and later enjoyed a successful run at London's Soho Poly theatre.
His talent also found a home on television, where he contributed to popular sitcoms like Doctor in the House and created the ITV series The Nearly Man. Despite his success, Antrobus maintained a fiercely independent spirit, often critiquing the commercial pressures of the entertainment industry.
Legacy of an Absurdist Visionary
John Antrobus's work left an indelible mark on British comedy and drama. His ability to find humour in the bleakest of scenarios, from war to bureaucratic nightmare, influenced a generation of writers who valued originality over convention. He is survived by his wife, the actress and writer Paddy, and their children.
His passing marks the end of an era for a certain strand of inventive, risk-taking British playwriting. As the curtains close on his life, the legacy of his absurdist vision, forged in the crucible of The Goon Show and expressed across stage and screen, ensures he will be remembered as a true original.
