It was widely supposed that the unsuccessful playwright played by George Cole in Wood's television comedy series "Don't Forget To Write!" was based on Wood himself (the character was called "Gordon Maple") whilst his much more successful friend and neighbor (played by Francis Matthews) was based on Wood's real-life friend and neighbor Peter Nichols. However, Nichols pointed out with some acerbity in his memoirs that Wood had had far greater and more immediate financial success from his writing than himself.