Topzle Topzle

Graham Linehan

Updated: Wikipedia source

Graham Linehan

Graham George Linehan (; born May 1968) is an Irish comedy writer and anti-transgender activist. He created or co-created the sitcoms Father Ted (1995–1998), Black Books (2000–2004), The IT Crowd (2006–2013), and Count Arthur Strong (2013–2017), and has contributed to other comedy shows, including The Fast Show, The Day Today, and Brass Eye. During the 1990s, his writing partner was Arthur Mathews, with whom he created Father Ted. Linehan has won five BAFTA awards, including Best Writer, Comedy, for The IT Crowd in 2014. Linehan became involved in anti-transgender activism after an episode of The IT Crowd was criticised as transphobic. He argues that transgender activism endangers women and has likened the use of puberty blockers to Nazi eugenics. Linehan says his views have "consumed his life", lost him work, and ended his marriage.

Infobox

Born
Graham George LinehanMay 1968 (age 57)Dublin, Ireland
Education
Catholic University School
Notable work
Father Ted, Black Books, The IT Crowd
Spouse
mw- Helen Serafinowicz (m. 2004; div. 2020)
Children
2
Years active
1991–present
Medium
Television
Genres
Observational comedy, surreal humour

Tables

· Awards and nominations
1996
1996
Year
1996
Nominated for
Father Ted
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Comedy (Programme or Series)
Result
Won
1996
1996
Year
1996
Nominated for
Father Ted
Award
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Category
TV – Situation Comedy
Result
Won
1997
1997
Year
1997
Nominated for
Father Ted
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Comedy (Programme or Series)
Result
Nominated
1997
1997
Year
1997
Nominated for
Harry Enfield & Chums
Award
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Category
TV – Light Entertainment
Result
Won
1999
1999
Year
1999
Nominated for
Big Train
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Light Entertainment (Programme or Series)
Result
Nominated
1999
1999
Year
1999
Nominated for
Father Ted
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Comedy (Programme or Series)
Result
Won
2001
2001
Year
2001
Nominated for
Black Books
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Situation Comedy Award
Result
Won
2007
2007
Year
2007
Nominated for
The IT Crowd
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Situation Comedy
Result
Nominated
2008
2008
Year
2008
Nominated for
The IT Crowd
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Situation Comedy
Result
Nominated
2009
2009
Year
2009
Nominated for
The IT Crowd
Award
BAFTAs
Category
Best Situation Comedy
Result
Won
2009
2009
Year
2009
Nominated for
The IT Crowd
Award
IFTAs
Category
Best Script for Television
Result
Won
2014
2014
Year
2014
Nominated for
The IT Crowd
Award
BAFTAs Television Craft
Category
Writer Comedy
Result
Won
2014
2014
Year
2014
Nominated for
Count Arthur Strong
Award
BAFTAs Television Craft
Category
Writer Comedy
Result
Nominated
Year
Nominated for
Award
Category
Result
1996
Father Ted
BAFTAs
Best Comedy (Programme or Series)
Won
1996
Father Ted
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
TV – Situation Comedy
Won
1997
Father Ted
BAFTAs
Best Comedy (Programme or Series)
Nominated
1997
Harry Enfield & Chums
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
TV – Light Entertainment
Won
1999
Big Train
BAFTAs
Best Light Entertainment (Programme or Series)
Nominated
1999
Father Ted
BAFTAs
Best Comedy (Programme or Series)
Won
2001
Black Books
BAFTAs
Situation Comedy Award
Won
2007
The IT Crowd
BAFTAs
Best Situation Comedy
Nominated
2008
The IT Crowd
BAFTAs
Best Situation Comedy
Nominated
2009
The IT Crowd
BAFTAs
Best Situation Comedy
Won
2009
The IT Crowd
IFTAs
Best Script for Television
Won
2014
The IT Crowd
BAFTAs Television Craft
Writer Comedy
Won
2014
Count Arthur Strong
BAFTAs Television Craft
Writer Comedy
Nominated

References

  1. New Statesman
    https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2011/08/interview-twitter-fact
  2. "Paisley v Linehan"
    https://caseboard.io/cases/069e86c4-7840-4456-a7e6-e722108c6118
  3. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/02/graham-linehan-farce-comedian-would-not-make-up/
  4. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/graham-linehan-ive-come-to-hate-the-church-8665386.html
  5. Sunshine on Putty: The Golden Age of British Comedy from Vic Reeves to The Office
    https://books.google.com/books?id=VH_MuFWd0vMC
  6. "Paris"
    http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/paris/
  7. The Irish Times
    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/newsfeatures/1996/0425/96042500102.html
  8. The Irish Times
    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/1998/0502/98050200230.html
  9. "Aran Islands in Father Ted row"
    https://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0121/ted.html
  10. The Digital Fix
    https://www.thedigitalfix.com/television/content/11789/big-train-at-20-an-interview-with-the-shows-co-creator-arthur-matthews/
  11. The Observer
    https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/dec/07/comedy.thebestofbritishcomedy
  12. "British Academy of Film and Television Arts Past Nominations 1995"
    http://www.bafta.org/awards/television/nominations/?year=1995
  13. British Comedy Guide
    https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/graham_linehan/
  14. British Comedy Guide
    https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/black_books/
  15. The IT Crowd
    http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/the_it_crowd/interview/
  16. The Irish Times
    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2006/0121/1137626794008.html
  17. The Irish Times
    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1126/1227486583337.html
  18. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-10-06/bbc-orders-a-full-series-of-middle-class-mum-sitcom-motherland/
  19. The Irish Post
    https://www.irishpost.com/entertainment/graham-linehan-wins-at-bafta-tv-craft-awards-26253
  20. Irish Independent
    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/graham-linehan-how-my-transgender-views-cost-me-my-marriage-40193764.html
  21. The Times
    https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/broke-shunned-and-cancelled-father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-and-the-trans-debate-cgv8gqpjk
  22. The Spectator
    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/graham-linehan-announces-uk-exit/
  23. The Sunday Times
    https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/sunday-times-bestsellers-list-book-sales-chart-fnxjm0bnl
  24. The Times
    https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/graham-linehan-trans-views-comedy-career-family-9rfdpzlpz
  25. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/graham-linehan-tough-crowd-book-trans-b2428578.html
  26. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/01/tough-crowd-by-graham-linehan-review-all-joking-aside
  27. The Critic
    https://thecritic.co.uk/tough-crowd-tough-man/
  28. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2023/10/21/tough-crowd-by-graham-linehan-an-incomplete-understanding-of-manliness/
  29. The Spectator
    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/no-laughing-matter-accusations-of-transphobia-wrecked-graham-linehans-life/
  30. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/graham-linehan-tough-crowd-book-trans-b2428578.html
  31. Ward, Pendleton (Series creator). 2014. "Goliad" [Commentary track], Adventure Time Season Four [DVD], Los Angeles: Cart
  32. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/sep/05/adventure-time-goodbye-to-the-most-inventive-cartoon-since-the-simpsons
  33. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-likens-anti-trans-activism-to-opposing-the-holocaust
  34. Tough Crowd: How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy
  35. Resistance Radio – Guest: Graham Linehan
    https://resistanceradioprn.podbean.com/e/resistance-radio-guest-graham-linehan/
  36. Horbury & Yao 2020.
  37. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/matt-berry-transphobic-it-crowd-episode-b1944874.html
  38. IT Crowd
    https://www.nme.com/news/tv/channel-4-pulls-it-crowd-episode-over-transphobic-content-2778346
  39. The IT Crowd
    https://screenrant.com/it-crowd-controversy-graham-linehan-april-transphobic-bad/
  40. The Irish Times
    https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/graham-linehan-trans-activists-don-t-realise-the-damage-they-do-1.3765979
  41. Father Ted
    https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/father-ted-creator-linehan-creates-own-social-network-to-defy-twitter-after-transgender-row-cfzw7xls0
  42. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jun/27/twitter-closes-graham-linehan-account-after-trans-comment
  43. "Those women who disrupted Pride in London and New Zealand are fucking heroes. This is a land grab and standing up to it took real guts. If you can't be as brave as them, then just find a way to support them or at least hear them out"
    https://archive.today/20191006152152/https://mobile.twitter.com/Glinner/status/1032774490156089344
  44. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anti-trans-protest-london-pride-parade-lgbt-gay-2018-march-lesbian-gay-rights-a8436506.html
  45. extra.ie
    https://extra.ie/2019/01/22/news/irish-news/video-graham-linehan-trans-views-cost-him-national-treasure-title
  46. Father Ted
    https://inews.co.uk/news/graham-linehan-father-ted-writer-trans-activism-nazism-187701
  47. Attitude
    https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/graham-linehan-under-fire-for-comparing-trans-activism-to-nazism/19884/
  48. Father Ted
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08305wc
  49. PinkNews
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/02/24/graham-linehan-bbc-newsnight-viewer-complaints-trans-holocaust-puberty-blocker/
  50. PinkNews
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/02/14/lord-eric-pickles-graham-linehan-doctors-transgender-kids-nazi-holocaust/
  51. Talkradio
    https://talkradio.co.uk/news/david-davies-welcomes-big-lottery-funds-review-grant-transgender-charity-18121729229
  52. National Lottery Community Fund
    https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-19/outcome-of-review-of-proposed-mermaids-grant
  53. National Lottery Community Fund
    https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-19/outcome-of-review-of-proposed-mermaids-grant
  54. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/twitch-stream-pulls-250000-mermaids-charity-featuring-alexandria-ocasio-1298710
  55. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-46961883
  56. PinkNews
    https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/06/12/nspcc-employee-hired-munroe-bergdorf-homophobic-abuse/
  57. Father Ted
    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hozier-and-father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-join-twitter-row-over-jk-rowling-comments-39276937.html
  58. PinkNews
    https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/01/graham-linehan-twitter-scarlysimon-trans-rights-sock-account-colm-ogorman/
  59. PinkNews
    https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/03/graham-linehan-twitter-new-account-transphobia-sim-card-ban-hateful-conduct/
  60. PinkNews
    https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/02/21/graham-linehan-women-her-dating-app-trans-transphobia-backlash/
  61. Communications and Digital Committee
    https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5236fc59-47ae-41c9-93f7-4ea16b5782c3
  62. Father Ted
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/federal-election-2022/2022/04/19/katherine-deves-graham-linehan-trans/
  63. PinkNews
    https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/10/01/graham-linehan-covid-transphobia-climate-change/
  64. Open Democracy
    https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/trans-scotland-mridul-wadhwa-for-women-scotland/
  65. Graham Linehan: My interview with Stephen Nolan on YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3St5XimKi6U&t=345s
  66. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V5yaNv1pNQ
  67. Pink News
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/05/27/graham-linehan-father-ted-musical-trans/
  68. NME
    https://www.nme.com/news/tv/father-ted-musical-axed-following-graham-linehans-controversial-views-3190721
  69. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/graham-linehan-twitter-trans-rights-b2253532.html
  70. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/24/elon-musk-offers-general-amnesty-to-suspended-twitter-accounts
  71. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/europe/lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-killed-uk-prison-intl-hnk
  72. Cityam.com
    https://www.cityam.com/graham-linehan-aka-glinner-banned-from-twitter-again/
  73. Thepinknews.com
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/16/anti-trans-graham-linehan-suspended-twitter-again/
  74. Cityam.com
    https://www.cityam.com/graham-linehan-aka-glinner-back-on-twitter-after-latest-ban/
  75. The Mary Sue
    https://www.themarysue.com/can-david-tennant-sue-graham-linehan/
  76. The Scotsman
    https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/graham-linehan-stages-gig-outside-the-scottish-parliament-after-venues-cancel-4259743
  77. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/graham-linehan-glinner-agent-dropped-david-tennant-b2422894.html
  78. "Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan on being 'cancelled' over transgender views (podcast)"
    https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/22320256-father-ted-co-creator-graham-linehan-on-being-can/
  79. Father Ted
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/07/transgender-lawyer-launches-uks-first-deadnaming-case-against/
  80. Father Ted
    https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/father-ted-writer-graham-linehan-warned-by-police-after-trolling-transgender-activist-wqfwqgsxn
  81. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/oct/07/graham-linehan-police-warning-complaint-by-stephanie-hayden-transgender-activist-twitter
  82. Father Ted
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45777689
  83. The Times
    https://archive.today/20240820173137/https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/holby-city-actor-sues-graham-linehan-nv802znsr
  84. ITV News
    https://www.itv.com/news/2025-04-26/father-ted-co-creator-graham-linehan-charged-with-harassment-and-criminal-damage
  85. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/26/graham-linehan-bafta-winner-father-ted-court-charges/
  86. PinkNews
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/04/28/gender-critical-campaigner-graham-linehan-charged-with-harassment-and-criminal-damage/
  87. www.bbc.com
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0x2kx08wdo
  88. www.bbc.com
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrj4520rrwo
  89. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7879vg96y6o
  90. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/graham-linehan-transgender-activist-harassment-trial-b2749330.html
  91. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/12/father-ted-graham-linehan-pleads-not-guilty-to-harassment/
  92. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0x2kx08wdo
  93. The Times
    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/raham-linehan-sophia-brooks-trans-activist-court-w6bfpkrqn
  94. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/04/graham-linehan-trans-teenager-court
  95. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpw152kq80wo
  96. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/graham-linehan-britain-irish-mark-rowley-jk-rowling-b2821299.html
  97. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/05/trans-activist-threatened-to-sue-graham-linehan/
  98. www.telegraph.co.uk
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/25/graham-linehan-verdict-handed-down-trans-harassment-trial/
  99. Sky News
    https://news.sky.com/story/graham-linehan-cleared-of-harassment-but-guilty-of-criminal-damage-to-trans-activists-phone-13474812
  100. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07p7v2nn8mo
  101. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07p7v2nn8mo
  102. The Times
    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/graham-lineham-arrested-heathrow-anti-trans-tweets-jmrsfghvn
  103. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/02/father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-arrested-over-posts-on-transgender-issues
  104. PinkNews
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/09/10/graham-linehan-bail-dropped/
  105. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/02/graham-linehan-claims-he-was-arrested-for-tweets-heathrow/
  106. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9rzngd9k2o
  107. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/03/nigel-farage-called-a-putin-loving-free-speech-imposter-during-bumpy-us-congressional-hearing
  108. The Times
    https://archive.today/20250908223929/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/graham-linehan-nigel-farage-congress-znh2tzwbn
  109. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v13v3z6lgo
  110. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/03/met-police-chief-calls-for-review-of-law-after-graham-linehan-arrest
  111. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1mx09l5297o
  112. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/07/mark-rowley-change-law-stop-policing-tweets-met-chief/
  113. www.telegraph.co.uk
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/20/graham-linehan-hate-crime-case-dropped/
  114. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/inside-the-comic-world-of-peter-serafinowicz-the-spoof-video-master-is-heading-to-hollywood-10279558.html
  115. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/jun/11/the-saturday-interview-graham-linehan
  116. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11342851/Graham-Linehan-interview-On-the-streets-Twitter-trolls-would-be-considered-sociopaths.html
  117. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/19/graham-helen-linehan-ireland-abortion-amnesty-international
  118. Belfast Telegraph
    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/tv-writer-graham-linehan-how-my-transgender-views-cost-me-my-marriage-40194554.html
  119. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/02/graham-lineham-interview-father-ted-creator-cancelled-trans/
  120. "A bad day for atheism"
    https://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/a-bad-day-for-atheism/
  121. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/06/atheist-bus-campaign-nationwide
  122. "BadMovieClub website"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110823093758/http://www.badmovieclub.co.uk/
  123. "Linehan attacks American 'lies' over NHS"
    http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/linehan+attacks+american+aposliesapos+over+nhs/3308762.html
  124. Father Ted
    http://www.theweek.co.uk/technology/20567/how-father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-sparked-nhs-backlash-twitter
  125. The IT Crowd
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13467407
  126. Motherland
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07v3wrn
  127. Never Mind the Horrocks
    https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/never_mind_the_horrocks
  128. Variety
    https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/the-matchmaker-3-1117340007/
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.