They don't make television writers like Alan Plater any more. He entered the profession when there was still an audience that could be relied upon to sit down in their millions and watch challenging drama from strands such as Armchair Theatre and The Wednesday Play. He made his name in that great academy of small-screen writing, Z Cars. Other than Dennis Potter, it's difficult to think of a writer who, though he also produced half a dozen novels and many stage plays including the memorable Peggy for You about the legendary theatrical agent Peggy Ramsay, dedicated the greatest moments of a long career to television. Plater won the Dennis Potter Award in 2005, the same year as his CBE for services to drama. Joe Maddison's War, his final script, will be broadcast this autumn on ITV. In the meantime, enjoy these star-packed reminders of his sensitivity and range.