It’s a funny business declares TV Exec

As a producer, Paul Jackson was responsible for bringing the cult, sci-fi programme Red Dwarf and the memorably-sick humour of The Young Ones to our screens in the eighties. He was at the centre of creating such radical programmes which established some of Britain’s funniest and most well-loved comedians. Paul Jackson has also overseen some of today’s most commercially-successful entertainment programmes, which include The X Factor, Benidorm and Dancing on Ice. He has also held the distinguished position of chairman of the Royal Television Society and was instrumental in launching Comic Relief.

In 2004 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Exeter making him a Doctor of Comedy! An active supporter of his former University, he regularly returns as a visiting professor sharing his experience with the English and Drama students.

“It’s great coming back,” says Paul Jackson, “the students here are amazing and so creative. They have so many great ideas which, for me as a programme maker, are inspirational and reassuring for the industry in the future.”

Paul Jackson will be giving the first of this year’s Shaping the Future lectures on Friday 27 February at 6pm in the Xfi Building at the University of Exeter. The Shaping the Future lecturers are a joint initiative between the University of Exeter and the Met Office designed to bring business, science and the community together. The public lecture is free-of-charge; to reserve a place email c.a.pierce@exeter.ac.uk telephone 01392 725052.