Ben Elton is a British comedian, actor, author, playwright, lyricist, and director. Born on 3 May 1959, in Catford, South London, he emerged as a significant figure in London's alternative comedy scene during the 1980s. After completing his studies at Manchester University, Elton became widely known for his work on the acclaimed sitcoms The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as his incisive and groundbreaking stand-up comedy.

Elton's style in the 1980s was characterized by left-wing political satire. Over the years, he has published numerous novels spanning genres such as dystopian, comedy, and crime. Additionally, he has written lyrics for several successful musicals, including The Beautiful Game (2000), We Will Rock You (2002), Tonight's the Night (2003), and Love Never Dies (2010).