About Neil

Neil – Writer, Director, Storyteller

Neil has spent over three decades writing and directing across TV, comedy, drama, entertainment, and education. From puppets to prime-time celebrities to Paralympians, his career blends big broadcast credits with deeply personal storytelling..

Neil believes stories change how we see the world. He uses comedy and drama to shift perspectives, challenge assumptions, and create work that is inclusive without being tokenistic. That’s why his projects always carry both heart and a fresh angle.

A Little History

Every picture tells a story — hover to see mine

1966

As a child I was always happy, always smiling, always entertaining.

1974

The first time I was in a TV studio watching Crackerjack, was the day I decided I was going to work in TV.

1987

Thirteen years later I started working at the BBC. Not in television, but in their IT department. But it was a start.

1989

My first break came when I got to write one of Blue Peter’s Christmas Pantomimes. Oh no I didn’t… Oh yes I did!

1990

With half my degree being in maths I finally got the job I wanted and moved to BBC Schools television making maths programmes.

1995

I left the BBC to go freelance and directed everything from Poker Programmes to Teletubbies.

2009

I was honoured to receive a BAFTA nomination for the BBC animation series “Just so Darwin”.

2011

And then I became a single dad, I had to fold up my TV director’s chair, and step away from the industry I loved to raise my children.

A Little History

Hover over the images to view the story

1966

As a child I was always happy, always smiling, always entertaining.

1974

The first time I was in a TV studio watching Crackerjack, was the day I decided I was going to work in TV.

1987

Thirteen years later I started working at the BBC. Not in television, but in their IT department. But it was a start.

1989

My first break came when I got to write one of Blue Peter’s Christmas Pantomimes. Oh no I didn’t… Oh yes I did!

1990

With half my degree being in maths I finally got the job I wanted and moved to BBC Schools television making maths programmes.

1995

I left the BBC to go freelance and directed everything from Poker Programmes to Teletubbies.

2009

I was honoured to receive a BAFTA nomination for the BBC animation series “Just so Darwin”.

2011

And then I became a single dad, I had to fold up my TV director’s chair, and step away from the industry I loved to raise my children.

The Neil Ben Films years

While Neil was bringing up his two wonderful children he was unable to work the long hours that TV production demanded, so he borrowed a camera and while the kids were in school Neil shot business and training films which he would edit in the evening when the kids were in bed.

Over that time Neil wrote and directed training films to teach care workers how to look after vulnerable people and salespeople how to sell better, he helped charities raise tens of thousands of pounds through promotion and information videos, and taught hundreds of business owners how to use their mobile phones to produce their own video content. Neil even won an FSB Award for business innovation.

Neil is back in the industry he loves

After 10 years away from the industry, Neil returned to Television with a new passion and focus to write and direct adult comedy drama. Although there had been a lots of technical advances in broadcast over recent years, the role of the director remains the same… to make sure the talent feels safe and confident enough to give their best performance, and to use the grammar of TV to tell the story you want to tell.

Within months of returning to the industry late in 2021, Neil was writing and directing comedy shorts for Channel 4, worked as 2nd Unit director on Murder, They Hope, and threw himself into writing.

  • Selected for Directors UK Inspire Programme 2022 – (mentored by Ed Bye).
  • Selected for the BBC Writers’ Access Group (2023–25)
  • Today, I balance writing, directing and consulting, with a focus on authentic disability representation.

Neil’s Vibe

Friendly, collaborative, creative — and always up for a laugh. (Yes, I once directed a dog game show, and I still sneak onto the open mic stand-up circuit for fun.)