Profiles

But in the modern era there is another writer carrying on the tradition.

Billy Ivory has gone from being a binman to acting in Coronation Street to penning some great TV dramas of our time.

He's a Nottinghamian and proud of it and knows just about every nook and cranny of the city and beyond.

He was born in Southwell and educated at the Minster school before continuing his education in London.

Then came that stint on the bins working for Sherwood District Council before he caught the acting bug in a presentation of Me Mam Sez at the Nottingham Playhouse.

But it's as a writer that Billy Ivory has earned his reputation.

Talking in 2008

In 2008 Billy was promoting a new project - his latest series The Invisibles, starring Warren Clarke and Anthony Head.

In a discussion with John Holmes he talks about how editing the programme could go right to the wire.

Back in 2005

In a lengthy interview with BBC Radio Nottingham's John Holmes in 2005 he talked about:-

• Coping with criticism
• A writing style that mixes humour with sadness
• Nottinghamshire
• Drink
• Going for auditions
• Working on Coronation Street
• The Sins
• The miners strike