13 British Sitcom Stars Who Were Actually Geniuses

We laughed at them for years. We had no idea how clever they really were. A Dad's Army private who wrote a West End hit. A Goodie who helped identify a bird never before recorded in Britain. A comedian who left school without a single O-level and ended up with a doctorate. And the brilliant minds who created the sitcoms we still quote today. From Hugh Dennis, Meera Syal, Bill Oddie, Tony Robinson and Jonathan Lynn to Antony Jay, Arnold Ridley, Richard Curtis, Peter Capaldi, Patricia Routledge, Warren Mitchell, Richard Wilson and Lenny Henry, these are thirteen sitcom favourites whose brains were every bit as impressive as their comic timing. Every story comes from their own words, interviews, university records and obituaries. Which brain surprised you the most? And who should be in a Part 2? Tell us in the comments. Like and subscribe for more nostalgic stories about the faces we grew up with. Note: A documentary retrospective made for historical, educational and entertainment purposes. All accounts are attributed to published sources. This is an independent channel, not connected to the BBC, ITV or any broadcaster.