Comedian with a serious income

CRITICS have panned his shows, but comedian and writer Ben Elton is laughing all the way to the bank after earning almost £1 million last year.

The former stand-up comic, whose credits include co-writing the Blackadder television series, paid himself £700,674 last year, up from £437,343 the year before.

With a dividend payment of £237,500, his total income from his company, Stand Up, which has just filed accounts for the year to 30 June 2003, was £938,174.

Turnover of the company rose from £842,346 to £1.16m, probably reflecting income from We Will Rock You, the hit musical based on the songs of pop group Queen. Though the musical was attacked by some critics, it has proved a commercial success.

Another musical he wrote, Tonight's The Night, based on Rod Stewart's music, has also faced hostile criticism since it opened in the West End late last year, but it has been a hit at the box office, which suggests that Elton's bumper pay days are likely to continue.