Being cancelled cost me millions - Graham Linehan

Despite being a massive hit, the TV series Father Ted didn’t make that much money for its co-creator Graham Linehan. He reveals that he based Mrs Doyle on his mother – yet no longer drinks tea himself. After writing and directing a host of hit TV comedies such as Black Books and the IT Crowd for British TV, he has had to forge a new career online after being “cancelled” in the gender/identity wars. Despite losing out on ‘millions’, he doesn’t regret taking his stand. His new book – Tough Crowd – tells this story and that of his early career.

How much money can hit series make you?The first time they're on, you do quite well, especially as you get paid for one broadcast and one repeat at the same time. But with each repeat, that amount dwindles by 50% or something until you get almost nothing. We didn't notice because DVD sales were so amazing, and they would release a new boxed set every year. But then DVDs disappeared and so did the spondulicks. 

Surely to God you made decent money from Father Ted?Nope. That's why the destruction of the Father Ted musical was such a blow. I thought it might be my pension. 

This week saw yet another study exposing clerical abuse in schools. Were you damaged by corporal punishment growing up? Did it inspire Fr Ted’s portrayal of priests?

No, the priests at CUS (Catholic University School) were always benign, at least to me, and I guess that's why the show ended up being whimsical rather than savage. Dermot (Morgan who played Fr Ted) would get frustrated. he really wanted to put the boot in!

Is it true Mrs Doyle was based on your mother ? It was based on my Mum, Pauline, who is the storyteller in the family. She's always been very proud. 

 How many cups of tea do you drink?

Not so much of a tea man any more! Coffee all the way for me now, disgracefully.

 How’s your new job going as a lightning rod for anger in the highly charged gender/identity wars?

Well, I've had to give up comedy and work as journalist now on my Substack, and that's been a lifesaver. It's amusing to me that the first magazine I wrote for, Hot Press, has blocked me on Twitter. But you get somewhat used to things like that.

How much did being cancelled cost you?

Oh, millions, I'm sure. The (cancelled Fr Ted) musical was a dead cert.

Do you regret taking your stand?

Gosh, no, and I'm very proud of my activism.  

How’s your new book – A Tough Crowd – selling?Pretty good considering you can't find it in (that many) bookshops!

You clearly upset a lot of people, but surely there are also a lot of people who aren’t online, may agree with you or don’t care much about the issue one way or another. How does cancelling work so effectively?

 It's because trans activism is a very upper-middle-class phenomenon, and upper-middle-class people populate the industries in which I work: theatre, publishing, TV, journalism etc.

Erm, do people who interview you get cancelled too (asking for a friend)?

Just don't agree with me on anything and you should be fine.

What does your mother think of your situation?

She's worried. But she always worries. We lost our Dad a couple of years go and I think she misses him terribly. On top of that, what I've been through has been incredibly destabilising to her. But she and her poker friends took great pleasure in defeating the bill that tried to remove 'woman' and 'mother' from the Irish constitution. 

What do you do to unwind?

Computer games and music for the most part.

What would you do if finance minister?

Present me with a huge cheque for my contribution to Irish culture!