Ray Galton and Alan Simpson met as teenagers in a TB sanatorium in 1948. They were probably afflicted by boredom and a sense of alienation as well as their illness, because all the other occupants were much older than them. Writing saved them, and together they wrote themselves into good health, going on to become one of the best loved and most enduring writing partnerships in comedy history.

BBC Comedy will shortlist four projects for further consideration. One final award winner will have their script developed for broadcast consideration, with advice and input from leading industry practitioners, and receive a bursary of £5,500.