Frank Cottrell-Boyce

BA English 1979
DPhil English 1982
Screenwriter and Novelist

Regarded as one of the most original and versatile writers in the UK, Liverpool born Frank has written TV soaps, stage plays, screenplays, children’s books and of course the opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics, picking up plenty of plaudits along the way.

He started his career writing episodes for Coronation Street and Brookside, developing hard-hitting storylines that made headlines in their own right. He has collaborated with several film makers, most notably Michael Winterbottom and Danny Boyle. His film credits include Welcome to Sarajevo, the Oscar-nominated Hilary and Jackie, and 24 Hour Party People.

In 2004, he wrote Millions, a children’s book based on his own screenplay; it won the 2004 Carnegie Medal. He has written five further books for children including The Unforgotten Coat, based on a true story which won the 2012 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. He was also commissioned by Ian Fleming’s estate to write a series of sequels to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Frank met his wife Denise at Keble, where she was studying Theology. They married in Chapel and were the first all-Keble couple to marry. They have seven children and he says they were his harshest critics of his books.

He gained legions of new fans and media respect when he helped Keble to secure its outstanding victory against Reading in the 2017/18 University Challenge Alumni Christmas Special. Keble 240–Reading 0. TV history was made.