Brian Clemens, screenwriter and long-standing WGGB member, died on Saturday 10 January 2015. His prolific career spanned decades.

Clemens started as a messenger boy at advertising company J. Walter Thompson and, whilst there, sold his first thriller screenplay, Valid for Single Journey Only, to the BBC. He went on to write many of the most popular ITC drama series, including Danger Man, The Persuaders and The Professionals. Clemens also wrote the pilot of the original The Avengers television series, and went on to be its script editor, associate producer and lead writer for eight years. His output was so vast he often used the pseudonym Tony O’Grady.

Clemens also worked in America on the Father Dowling Mysteries, Perry Mason and Diagnosis: Murder.

It’s not surprising that writing formed a large part of Brian Clemens’ DNA. He was related to Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). In recognition of his contribution to British television and film, Brian Clemens was honoured with an OBE.

His work was the background for many of our childhoods. Brian Clemens was a unique writer. Our sympathies to his wife Janet and family.