Ray Galton, writer of Steptoe and Son, dies at 88

Ray Galton, a comedy writing legend of British sitcom, died after a prolong illness at 88.

“Galton died on Friday evening after a long and heart-breaking battle with dementia,” his family said in a statement on Saturday.

“Ray passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family,” the statement added.

“He (Galton) brought laughter to many millions over 7 decades - and counting,” British Comedy Society tweeted.

We are deeply saddened by the death of Ray Galton, the brilliant, iconic comedy writer, who has died at the age of 88. He brought laughter to many millions over 7 decades - and counting. https://t.co/U3mivxtdvv pic.twitter.com/soEkQI5ovU

— BritishComedySociety (@BritComSociety) October 6, 2018

With his professional partner Alan Simpson, who died last year, Galton co-wrote the landmark British comedy series- Hancock’s Half Hour and Steptoe and Son. In 2016, the duo were awarded Bafta’s highest honour, the Fellowship, said the sources.

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According to reports, their film “Steptoe and Son,” a sitcom about father-and-son junk dealers, reigned theatres between 1962 and 1974. Later Producer Norman Lear adapted it into the U.S. sitcom "Sanford and Son,” it said.

The London-born Galton was diagnosed with life-threatening tuberculosis as a teenager. In a Surrey sanatorium, he met another sick teen, Alan Simpson, and the pair became long-term writing partners and make comedy history.

Galton’s manager Tessa Le Bars fondly called them “the fathers and creators of British sitcom.

(With inputs from agencies)