Names on the buses

766 Chris Paling

Connections with Brighton and Hove : 1956–2024
Christopher, better known as Chris, was a British radio producer, novelist, playwright, and artist. After studying at Sussex University, he started his career in 1981 at the BBC as a studio manager. He later enjoyed many years as a successful producer. He notably worked on Radio 4's Midweek programme and produced documentaries through Pier Productions in Brighton. Chris's literary career spanned over three decades. He authored nine novels, including After the Raid, a novel about the effect of war on the human mind, and The Silent Sentry, which was critical of his BBC experience. His fiction was known for its psychological depth and portrayal of emotional crises. He earned recognition for his unflinching realism and dark gallows humour. The novel Minding was nominated for the Mind Book of the Year. His first stage play, The Final Test, toured UK theatres. The book Reading Allowed was an affectionate account of characters who would pass through the doors and find sanctuary and company in Jubilee Library in Brighton. With a keen sense of humanity in portraying the often dark challenges of life, he always felt compelled to write. He also contributed short stories to national newspapers. His short story The Red Car was long-listed for the first Sunday Times Short Story Award in 2010. Chris was married with two children and lived in Brighton and later Ovingdean. In his retirement years he enjoyed success in painting.

766 ADL Enviro400 - carried name since December 2025.