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Soap opera pioneer Alan Coleman dies at 76

Alan Coleman

Coleman

The television producer who pioneered television serials such as Neighbours and Shortland Street has died at his home on the NSW Central Coast aged 76.

Alan Coleman, a British writer, director and producer moved to Australia when he was headhunted by Reg Grundy in 1974, to help him establish the Grundy Organisation’s drama department. Coleman then wrote and directed hundreds of episodes of medical serial The Young Doctors and produced the series Case for the Defence and worked on shows such as Class of 74 and Prisoner.

He launched his own production company making corporate videos before returning to Grundy’s as executive producer of Neighbours, and was then made EP of Shortland Street, New Zealand’s first soap opera on five nights a week.

Coleman’s other directing credits include Home and Away, Echo Point, Breakers, Going Home, Above the Law and Family Affairs in the UK.

He had been running a TV Drama School on the NSW Central Coast and had toured the courses in the UK and on the sets of Neighbours and Home and Away. He also wrote an autobiography titled One Door Shuts.

Darren Gray, Coleman’s agent, said in a statement: “Alan was a very special man. He launched so many careers both in front of and behind the camera, was behind so many hit shows and gave pleasure through his work to audiences around the world. He was a very good friend to me and to so many other people and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to know and work with him.

“He pioneered the art form viewers refer to as the ‘soap opera’ but to him the shows were always five nights a week, fast turn-around drama serials.

“We shall all miss him, he was very generous with his time despite a very busy work schedule and the entertainment industry has lost a true pioneer and a true gentleman.”

Alan Coleman is survived by his wife Barbara, his children Nick, Chris and Jacqui and grandchildren.

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