Bradford-born director and writer's radio drama about Andrea Dunbar

The drama 'Rita Sue and Andrea Too,' focuses on Andrea during the making of 'Rita, Sue and Bob Too' and will be aired on BBC Radio 4 today (Friday June 7) at 2.15pm. It will also be available on BBC Iplayer for a further month.

Sean explains the drama is based on accounts from the people who worked with Andrea and were involved in the creation of stage-play and film Rita, Sue and Bob Too.

Interestingly, Sean initially met Andrea during the early Eighties when he was involved with various acting and film groups.

He recalls she would sometimes call in to the Bradford Playhouse bar where he was working at that time.

After studying theatre, English and film from 1985 to 1988 at York College, Sean landed a job at Granada TV as a trailer-writer later becoming a researcher then documentary director and, sometimes, comedy writer.

Sean remained at Granada until 1994 during which time he created documentaries about Northern subjects and also wrote for sketch shows and other entertainment shows.

After lecturing on documentary for Salford College and Bristol University, Sean returned to TV in 1998 working at BBC Bristol

and BBC Birmingham as a director on shows including Antiques Roadshow, Top Gear and Countryfile.

He began making comedy TV and radio programmes at BBC Bristol and eventually moved into drama directing on series such as Teachers, and Sugar Rush.

In 2008 he worked in developing TV drama and returned to directing in 2015 making crime dramas for the US channels.

Sean began writing for radio in 2010 and has written nearly 20 plays about various subjects and people including Patrick Moore, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, JRR Tolkien and now Andrea Dunbar.

"I've come full circle writing about where I came from and someone who was important and an inspiration from 30 years ago," says Sean, referring to Andrea.

He knew she was a playwright but hadn't seen her work until 'Rita, Sue and Bob Too.'

"I was bowled over by the fact that someone from Bradford could make and film and I think this became a key moment that inspired me.

"I knew the film was important and it was a revelation to see Bradford people represented and telling their own stories."

Keen to keep her memory alive, Sean believes Andrea's story needs to be told.

"The drama is very sympathetic towards Andrea and her life," says Sean.

"The drama is heartfelt, angry and tragic. Andrea's story needs to be told. And I'm glad I got this chance to tell it.

For more information visit