Jonathan Routh was the originator of the UK Candid Camera. He was already known as a practical joker in the 1950s. I first heard of him in 1956 at London University, in a nicely detailed version of the police/students gag.

He saw a couple of roadmen near Kings College starting to dig a hole. Around the corner, he saw a pair of constables. He sent his pal back to the roadmen to tell them that a couple of students dressed as police were going to try to move them on, while he told the constables that students dressed as roadmen were digging up the road. They then stood back and enjoyed the 'discussion'.

He was an original, full of crazy ideas and also a talented artist and writer. Sadly, Jonathan died last year.

Phil