British television producer
Elkan Allan (born Elkan Philip Cohen, 8 December 1922 – 25 June 2006) was a British television producer and print journalist. Allan is best remembered for his creation of the pioneering 1960s TV rock/pop music show Ready Steady Go!. After 1968, he was for many years the television editor of The Sunday Times.
Early life
Allan was born Elkan Philip Cohen in Cricklewood, London, in December 1922, the son of Rose (née Prager) and Allan Cohen. His father was a furrier, who later became involved in the printing industry. Allan was educated at Quinton School in St John's Wood. At some point during his childhood, his parents changed their surname from Cohen to Allan. Elkan changed his name by deed poll the day before his eighteenth birthday.[1]
Career
Elkan Allan's career in print journalism began in 1941, when he became the assistant editor of The Outfitter, a trade journal for menswear retailers. Allan was exempt from military service during World War II for health reasons. His contributions to The Outfitter included the column "Dress Circle", which featured reviews of costumes in theatre productions. He later worked for the Daily Express, Picture Post, John Bull and The Illustrated London News.[1]
In the mid-1940s, Allan became a radio broadcaster, developing and overseeing the first quiz shows on BBC radio, Quiz Time and Quiz Team. In 1953, he began working for the BBC Television Service, initially presenting Armchair Traveller. When ITV was launched in 1955, he joined the new network as a reporter, later becoming a producer for This Week current affairs programme. In 1960, Allan began writing and producing documentaries for television. This included Freedom Road, which won three awards at the 1961 Berlin television festival.[1]
In 1962, he became the head of entertainment at Associated-Rediffusion, producing shows such as Double Your Money and Take Your Pick. In 1963, he created and produced the music show Ready Steady Go!.[1]
Personal life
Allan was married twice. His first marriage was to journalist Mary Ingham, on 27 November 1947 at Kensington register office. They had two sons and a daughter. They later divorced and, on 5 September 1970, Allan married journalist Angela Willment at Hampstead register office. They had a son and a daughter.[1]
He had a long interest in poker, and worked on an encyclopedia for the game. This was unfinished when he died, but was posthumously completed by Hannah Mackay. With his second wife, Allan also wrote three film guides.[1]
Allan died from a stroke in June 2006, at the Whittington Hospital in Islington. He was survived by his second wife and all of his children.[1]
