Upcoming BBC Crongton show will become ‘loving tribute' to author Alex Wheatle
The upcoming BBC show Crongton will become a 'loving tribute' to author Alex Wheatle following his death at the age of 62.
The author, who was known as the 'Brixton Bard', was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, and campaigned for awareness of the condition.
He wrote a string of books about life on London's streets for young black men including the Crongton series, about children growing up on a council estate and facing gang wars and other struggles.
He died on Sunday, March 16, his family said, – more than a week before the first series of Crongton is due to air on the BBC on Monday.
Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC children's and education, said with the 'blessing' of Wheatle's family they will air the show as a 'celebration of Alex's incredible life and powerful stories that mean so much to so many young people'.
She also said: 'We feel incredibly privileged to have worked with Alex on the adaptation of his award-winning Crongton Knights books, whose young characters leap off the page in their vibrant portrayals of the highs and lows of growing up in modern Britain.'
The show's production company New Pictures said: 'Alex's warmth, generosity and humour shone out through his writing, and his work will continue to touch so many lives.
'We are so honoured to have played a part in bringing the world of Alex's Crongton books to life and the show remains a loving tribute to him.'
Born on January 3 1963, Wheatle grew up in children's homes and began by writing lyrics then progressed to poetry, short stories and novels.
He was also known for being part of the 1981 Brixton riot – which saw him being sent to prison, and inspired Sir Steve McQueen to direct the film Alex Wheatle about the writer's life for the anthology series Small Axe.
The actor who played him, Sheyi Cole, wrote in an Instagram story that he was 'indebted' to Wheatle, and his 'story became my story'.
Wheatle would later contribute to the BBC programme Battle For Brixton, and put out the fiction book East Of Acre Lane about the riot.
His first novel, Brixton Rock, about a troubled London teenager getting to grips with finding his family, was published in 1999.
His family posted on his Instagram, saying: 'Alex's family would like to thank you all for your support over the years in his work and we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.'
Author Dorothy Koomson, known for the novel and TV drama The Ice Cream Girls, wrote on Instagram that she was 'heartbroken'.
She added: 'He was a wonderful person and writer. A brilliant and empathetic human being. He leaves an incredible legacy. Lots of love to those who were closest to him. Rest in peace and glory, Alex.'
Fellow Prostate Cancer UK supporter and actor Colin McFarlane said he was 'shocked and saddened', and said that he 'talked about the desperate need for a national screening programme' with Wheatle.
'Prostate cancer is curable if it is diagnosed earlier, and one day I hope we can stop losing brilliant men like Alex to this disease,' he added.
Wheatle joined Prostate Cancer UK in calling for the Government to overhaul NHS guidelines around prostate cancer, to lead to more diagnosis.
Keith Morgan, associate director of Black Health Equity at Prostate Cancer UK, said he was 'proud to have worked with him later in life as he used his platform, and his own shocking late-stage diagnosis, to raise vital awareness of prostate cancer and campaign for change'.
He added that one in four 'black men will get prostate cancer, double the risk of other men', and said that men like Wheatle 'are dying twice as much from a cancer that is treatable if caught early'.
When he received his honour in 2008 for services to literature, Wheatle said: 'I know some people might say the MBE's got 'empire' on it, but there is no British empire any more.
'But more importantly, it shows young kids coming up that they can achieve and you can be successful.'
On Instagram, publisher Hachette Children's Group said they were 'incredibly saddened', and added that he 'leaves behind a legacy of rich and powerful' stories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Kylie Jenner posts about Timothee Chalamet date as fans say the same thing
The Kardashians star Kylie Jenner has given fans a glimpse into her life lately in a post on social media after attending two basketball games with Timothée Chalamet last week Reality TV star Kylie Jenner gave fans an insight into her life lately with a series of photos that she has shared on social media this week. It included her posting content from a date night with actor Timothée Chalamet. Kylie, 27, has often kept her relationship with Timothée, 29, out of the spotlight since first being linked in 2023. They made their red carpet debut last month though and they have attracted much attention over the last two years. Last week, they were spotted at several basketball games together. They watched the New York Knicks take on the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden in New York last Thursday, before seeing the NBA teams compete again at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis two days later. Kylie and Timothée were spotted at both games, with them photographed looking cosy whilst in the audience. They were seen sharing a kiss in their seats during the first game, where Kylie was also seen taking photos with a camera. The entrepreneur has since shared photos from the crowd with fans on Instagram. Kylie took to the platform earlier to upload a collection of recent photos, some of which were from basketball games, writing: "My week on [film emoji]." Timothée didn't appear in any of the photos from the games that were shared by Kylie, with her instead showing fans the view from courtside seats. Two photos showed players on the court, like at Madison Square Garden, but didn't feature the couple. Although she was overwhelming met with support from her followers in the comments section, some fans expressed disappointment that she didn't include any photos of Timothée. One wrote: "Just post with Timmy already." Another said: "Girl post him we know he's there." A third person wrote: "Post the pictures with Timothee alreadyyyyyy." Someone else teased to the photos: "Post one of Timothée I know you've got 14000 of them on that camera." "We need to see the photos you take of Timmy," someone else reacted to the post. One fan said: "Girl post Timothee already." Sharing their thoughts, one person wrote: "You should have posted Timothee in these photos too." Someone urged: "Post him!" Also encouraging Kylie to share photos of the Dune star was a comment that read: "Don't be shy, post Timmie." One fan asked: "Can we have photos of you and [Timothée]??" Someone said: "Timothée pleaseeee." Despite the apparent disappointment, Kylie was largely met with support and compliments over the post. It had featured various photos from her life lately, including showing the Kardashians cast member with family and friends. The post included photos of Kylie's children Stormi, 7, and Aire, 3, who she shares with her former partner Travis Scott, 34. There was also a photo of pals including Hailey Bieber, 28, and Kylie's sister Kendall Jenner, 29, in the post. Some photos showed Kylie, including one of her beaming as she looked towards the camera. Another in the post - which featured a number of black-and-white photos - showed her relaxing on a deck chair with her eyes closed. Fans shared their excitement over the post in the comments section. One wrote: "Seeing you sharing these moments makes me happy. You always talked about this version of you, but you never let us see it and I feel like it's finally happening! Be free, be yourself girl." Another said: "My heart is smiling. Beautiful beautiful!" A third commented: "I'm happy when I see you happy. Keep being happy girl." Sharing their thoughts, someone else reacted to Kylie's post: "Love this new era for you."
Powys County Times
28 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins on ‘ridiculous' feud rumours
The White Lotus co-stars Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins have both denied rumours that either of them are in a feud as 'ridiculous'. There has been speculation that the two co-stars had drifted apart after being on the HBO show, which follows the lives of guests and staff at a luxury resort as dark secrets are revealed and tensions rise over the course of the holiday. The third series sees the positive Chelsea, played by British actress Wood, 31, try to keep her mysterious older boyfriend, Rick, played by 53-year-old US actor Goggins, calm in Thailand. Following the 2025 series, Goggins appeared to step away from his fellow co-stars, and unfollow Greater Manchester-born Wood on Instagram. They both addressed the swirling rumours during a joint interview for US publication Variety, which was published on Wednesday. Goggins said: 'There is no feud. I adore, I love this woman (Aimee) madly, and she is so important to me.' He added that 'she's special', and explained he had not addressed the reports before as he did not want to talk about Wood when she was not there. 'I think it's such a comment on where we're at culturally. Why is everyone obsessing over Instagram? That is irrelevant. We don't give a shite about Instagram,' Wood said. Goggins said that when he finished The White Lotus he 'needed to just back away from everyone', as it is his 'process' when filming a project ends. 'It's all so ridiculous,' he said. 'It's just a part of me just saying goodbye to this character so that now Aimee and I will be friends for f****** ever.' Wood previously criticised a Saturday Night Live sketch, with an cast member impersonating her with exaggerated prosthetic teeth, calling it 'mean and unfunny' on Instagram. She told Variety that it 'felt misogynistic. It felt like the punchline was a woman's appearance, which is just not funny. It's not cool'. Goggins shared the same sketch online and praised Jon Hamm for playing a version of his character, before deleting the Instagram post, ahead of hosting SNL> He said he was 'gonna say it (something) to your face', and added: 'I don't use social media in any way, and I'm not a mean guy.' SNL apologised for the April sketch, according to Wood, and the comedian and cast member who impersonated her, Sarah Sherman, sent her flowers to apologise. Wood is also known for Netflix teen show Sex Education, BBC comedy Daddy Issues and the 2022 drama film Living with Bill Nighy. Goggins has been in Western series Justified, post-apocalyptic series Fallout, and drama Sons Of Anarchy. He has had two Emmy nods, while Wood has won a TV Bafta for Sex Education and been given a Rising Star Bafta nomination.
The Courier
33 minutes ago
- The Courier
Fife neighbours scoop cash jackpot on BBC quiz show Bridge of Lies
A team of neighbours from a Fife town has won the cash jackpot on the hit BBC quiz show Bridge of Lies. The team of four from Coaltown of Wemyss, scooped the £4,575 prize money in a nail-biting finale on Wednesday. The contestants included former Courier reporter Craig Smith and his wife, Lyndsey, along with neighbours, Nicola Forrest and Kenny Rodger. Contestants compete against the clock using their general knowledge, strategic skills, and often luck, to spot correct answers as well as lies in order to cross the bridge. The prize money mounts up depending on the number of players who successfully make it across. The contestants then team up to take on the 'final crossing' challenge. If they successfully make it across by answering a series of questions correctly, they win the prize money accumulated during the show. The quiz is hosted by actor Ross Kemp, famous for his role as Grant Mitchell in Eastenders. Tackling questions on subjects including holidays, theatre, names and the Stephen Spielberg films, all four made it across the bridge. This allowed them to go for the £4,575 prize pot working as a team to navigate across the bridge. With two of the team already out before completing the task, it was Lyndsey's turn to face the final question. And it was an agonising few seconds before host, Kemp, revealed that she was correct and they had scooped the prize money. The four hugged and cheered as they were congratulated by Kemp before revealing they would use the money on a group holiday ot Turkey. Speaking after the show was broadcast, Craig said he'd always wanted to be a contestant on a TV quiz show. He said: 'I applied initially one night, probably after a bottle of wine, thinking it wouldn't go anywhere but they gave us a call back and it went from there really. 'I've always liked the show as it's usually on around teatime in the background, and you end up just shouting at the screen. 'So I thought 'why not give it a go?' The 43-year-old former Courier reporter said he couldn't believe it when he found out his application had been successful. He added: 'It was filmed last September, so it's been around nine months to wait for it to come on. 'We had a brilliant time at the studios in Glasgow, and Ross Kemp is a really nice guy as well. 'We were last on the day to film, so it went on until about 8pm. 'None of us could watch it go out live, so we all gathered together to watch it on iPlayer with a wee glass of fizz to celebrate.' Craig said that the money had been put towards a holiday in Turkey in July for the team as well as several other Coaltown of Wemyss neighbours. The episode of Brdge of Lies is available to watch now on BBC iplayer.
