Award-winning TV writer Jack Rosenthal has died in hospital at the age of 72. Rosenthal, husband of actress Maureen Lipman, lost his battle against cancer on Saturday morning.
His work included some of the earliest episodes of Coronation Street in the 1960s and a play adapted for TV's London Burning.
He won three British Academy awards for Bar Mitzvah Boy, The Evacuees and Spend, Spend, Spend.
Thank you for your tributes to Jack Rosenthal. Read a selection of your comments below.
Like many others I was deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Rosenthal. I grew up watching some of his best on television. The Evacuees was a huge favourite on our house. He was truly a great man, writer and comedian. Love and good wishes to Maureen and family.
Natalie, Chester, UK
The death of Jack Rosenthal is a huge loss to the nation, he was one of the finest playwrites. However sad we feel our thoughts love and prayers are with Maureen, Amy and Adam now as the ones left behind by one so dear.
Jimmi Johnston-White, London, UK
I was so sad about the loss of Jack Rosenthal. Like so many others I felt, through his wife's books that, I knew him a little bit. He gave us the priceless gift of laughter and a glimpse of how delicate and complex the human heart can be and through the written page and the television screen those pearls of wisdom and happiness are going to be with us far, far into the future. God bless, Jack.
Mycroft Hunter, Chessington, England There aren't many writers like Jack, and they are getting fewer by the year. He has written some of the most acutely observed comedies ever put on the TV screen. I'll never forget Bar Mitzvah Boy and the evocative 'P'tang Yang Kipperbang'. And could anything beat 'The Lovers'?
Andrew Howlett, Cheshire, England.
I'll never forget "The Knowledge". This guy wrote about ordinary people, never missing the humour, everyday heroism and everything which makes us tick. A life not wasted.
Charles Moore, Edinburgh, Scotland
After reading all about Jack Rosenthal in Maureen Lipman's books it was clear he was a wonderful man. Sincere condolences to all his family, and Yentl has always been a favourite of mine!
Anon, UK
Like many I have enjoyed the works of both Jack and Maureen. The loss of Jack to the world is great. I am sure the loss for Maureen and his family is beyond measure. My thoughts are with them.
Jeni Roberts, Auckland, New Zealand
It was with great sadness that I read of the death of Jack Rosenthal. His work will live on because he has done so much that is simply brilliant. The Bag Lady, played by Maureen Lipman will stay in my mind for ever. As a person, he is portrayed as a very loving and humorous man in Maureen's volumes of autobiography.
Craig Bennett, Cheshire, England I was very sorry to hear the sad news. I have read many of Maureen Lipman's books and columns where she so often described her husband with pride, humour and love and so I have a sense of what must be a devastating personal loss at this time. My sincere condolences.
Anon, UK
Sorry to hear of Jack's Death. Sad loss of a talented man. Condolences and deepest sympathy to Maureen, Adam and Amy.
Andy Colcombe, Manchester, UK
I watched the Omnibus profile again last night (where the picture on this page comes from) and Jack just shines out...there are funny men and men who can say things funny. Jack was just a funny man. We'll miss you mate.
Barry, UK
A terrible loss. A great writer.
Susanna, Surbiton, Surrey
 |  Television and Jack Rosenthal go together  |
As you grow older, there are certain factors in your life that make it special. Television and Jack Rosenthal go together, as far as I am concerned, as one factor. Jack, with his fabulous writing, has kept us glued to the TV on so many occasions. Watching the TV just won't be the same anymore. My best wishes and sympathies to Maureen and Family.
Les Woods, Lincoln, UK A wonderful warm amusing and talented writer. Who can forget "The Knowledge" or "The Chain". My sincere condolences to Maureen Lipman and her family.
Alan Lewis, London UK
We were all lucky to have Jack writing so many wonderful pieces for us over the years, and this is a sad loss. To Maureen - we hope that the love and tributes on this site are of some comfort to you, as your kind words to my family were when Danny Field, of Theatre Royal Stratford East died many years ago. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Caroline, Surrey, UK
In my opinion, Jack Rosenthal was probably Britain's funniest modern playwright. Can we please have a long overdue retrospective of his work on the BBC and elsewhere please! What a loss.
David Tabizel, Marbella, Spain
Jack Rosenthal was an amazing writer and I am devastated to hear of his death. He has left a legacy of marvellous work. My thoughts are with Maureen and her Family at this tragic time.
Sam Greenhill, Dagenham, UK
Mr Rosenthal was one of the best playwrights God ever put on this Earth. I remember howling with laughter at his "Eskimo's Day Out" when it was dramatised. He will be truly missed by the literary world.
Charlie Jones, Wales
A very "human" writer - his rendition of the everyday yet extraordinary will be sadly missed.
Jim Harris, Ampthill, UK
I only hope that the BBC now show a selection of Jack Rosenthal's excellent TV plays including Bar Mitzvah Boy. He will be sorely missed.
Heidi Docherty, Edinburgh
| His plays were marvellously detailed |
Jack Rosenthal was a diamond - his plays were marvellously detailed, accurately portraying the quirks of real life. I hope that there is a 'Jack Rosenthal' season of plays re-shown for the pleasure of a new generation. To Maureen and her children, I wish you long life; but most of all, you were blessed to have such a husband and father.
Pam Nash, United Kingdom I was very sad to hear of the death of Jack Rosenthal. I remember watching "The Knowledge" just after my dad became a London cabbie. He was a wonderful talent who will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Maureen Lipman and her children.
Rachel, London, England
A sad loss to drama. 'Bar Mitzvah Boy' remains one of the greatest TV dramas of all time, and London's Burning a fitting memorial. His immortality is assured by the quality of his work, which will live on for many years to come. A true great.
Jon White, Connecticut, USA
Wonderful writing that should never be forgotten. I for one will never forget the bitter-sweet tale of the bag lady.
Jen B,
I was running a small Community Film Company and The Arts Council gave us a grant for screenwriting workshops. Mr. Rosenthal agreed to teach one, although he had never done anything like that before. The workshop was a huge success; every place filled and each student wrote a scene which Mr. Rosenthal commented on to the benefit of all of us. He was funny, charming, utterly unpretentious and very wise. 'Plays' he told us, are not written, they are rewritten and rewritten and rewritten.' After the workshop, I gave him the check, his fee. which he gave back to me. 'Make a film with it' he said and we did. He was a great gentleman; we are all the poorer for his loss.
Suzi Pritchard, Coventry UK All I can say is 'Thank You Jack!' He has provided us with many much loved TV programmes, and for that he will be remembered. He is an inspiration to younger writers, and to the actors that have a chance to perform in one of his shows. Rest in peace.
Michael Deans, Woking, UK
This is very sad news. I wish Maureen and her children "long life." Her husband provided us (the general public) with so much joy. I am certainly not alone in remembering his most wonderful plays and writing. Please take comfort that Jack and you have given the gift of love and laughter to so many people. My thoughts are with you.
Karen Redman, Bournemouth UK
| British television could well do with more writers of his calibre |
Mr Rosenthal was a shining light in British TV writing. He will be sadly missed at a time when British television could well do with more writers of his calibre. Long life to Maureen Lipman and her children.
Sharon Barnett, UK
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