BBC Studios has appointed two new staff writers, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche, to work across comedy productions for BBC Studios Audio, it announced today.
Christina and Peter’s year-long contracts will see them working across iconic Radio 4 shows like The News Quiz and Dead Ringers, as well as contributing jokes to any number of the wide variety of panel shows, sketch formats, stand-up shows and podcasts made by the BBC Studios Audio Comedy team. They will also have the opportunity to propose and develop their own original ideas for series.
Christina and Peter are the latest emerging talent to follow in the footsteps of a prestigious group of comedy writers including Andy Wolton (writer of BBC Studios’ Trying for Apple TV), Simon Blackwell (The Thick of It), Georgia Pritchett (Veep, Succession) and Kat Sadler (Such Brave Girls) to name a few.
They all began their careers in staff writer roles, originally named the Radio Comedy Writers Bursary. Established in 1978, over the past 45 years the scheme has seen an incredible number of talented writers working across the entire spectrum of BBC Studios Audio comedy shows, with many going on to create and contribute to some of the biggest comedy shows in the world.
Christina is a writer and producer whose comedy drama script was shortlisted for the Funny Women Awards 2023. She has writing credits across audio, digital and short film, including The Now Show, Dead Ringers, DMs Are Open and The News Quiz, and Channel 4’s The B@it and Nasty Neighbours.
“I’m beyond thrilled to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity alongside the very talented Peter,” Christina said. “When I heard the good news I squawked to high heaven and haven’t stopped since, it’s a living hell for all who know me. I’m so looking forward to a challenging year of honing my writing and cracking wise with a brilliant team.”
Peter Tellouche is part of the core writing teams on Dead Ringers, Please Use Other Door and Frank Skinner’s One Person Found This Helpful, and has credits on The News Quiz and The Now Show. He’s a writer for TV, radio and online and recently created and performed in the web series Soft Subjects and wrote on the latest series of Have I Got News For You.
Peter said: “I’m thrilled to have been selected alongside the brilliant Christina to spend the year working with the incredible team at BBC Studios. It’s an honour to join such a distinguished set of alumni and a privilege to earn a living as a full-time writer. I can’t wait to start procrastinating.”
Richard Morris, Creative Director, BBC Studios Audio Comedy added: “I’m very excited to be welcoming Christina and Peter to our team. They both really make us laugh and I have no doubt they will be an invaluable asset across our slate of many and varied shows this year.”
