Avengers screenwriter Brian Clemens dies at 83

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jan/12/avengers-screenwriter-brian-clemens-dies

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The screenwriter and producer Brian Clemens, responsible for hit shows including The Avengers, The New Avengers and The Professionals, has died aged 83. His son George said he died in hospital in London on Saturday.

Clemens started his working life in advertising before breaking into the film and TV industry, writing scripts for low-budget thrillers.

He wrote the original pilot episode for The Avengers, the cult 60s spy show that made stars out of its cast including Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman. Clemens then cast Diana Rigg as Emma Peel.

His production company also created The New Avengers, a revival of the show in the 70s, which paired Macnee with Joanna Lumley, who played Purdey, and Gareth Hunt, as Gambit. The show was sold to 120 countries although it wasn’t a critical success. Clemens said he considered 700 different actors before casting Lumley.

One of his sons, Samuel Clemens, told the BBC the last thing his father did before he died was watch an episode of The Avengers. “His last words were: I did quite a good job,” Samuel said.

Other shows Clemens worked on included Danger Man, Adam Adamant Lives! and The Persuaders, as well as Bergerac and Perry Mason. He also wrote for a number of shows on US TV, including Remington Steele, Perry Mason and the Highlander TV series.

He also worked on a succession of Hammer horror films and was working with his two sons on another horror film until his death.

Croydon-born Clemens was made an OBE for services to drama in 2010.