The Death of Tony Hancock

[gtgale1]

When I was a young girl in England I remember hearing him on the Radio. We didn't have tvs then. I thought he was histerically funny. We loved his shows. I didn't know he comitted suicide. What a tragedy. So sad to see someone so talented ruin their life. He is still missed today.

[dcasey77]

It's always very sad when anyone chooses to end their life.

I'm not looking to stir things here but I've never understood the admiration for Hancock.

To me, he just isn't funny. I don't remember seeing anything he did that made me laugh even slightly.

[Iberotimuka]

He needed love, we all adored him but he hated the way we loved him or why, ie the radio character with all its shortcomings and vulnerabilities. He wanted to be respected, he aspired to be taken seriously.

[GilesGilo]

Genuis' tend to be flawed. And left-handed. :/

[BritishAlienCompany]

I became a fan of Tony Hancock at the age of 8 in 2002. I happened to catch the last five minutes of 'The Radio Ham.' Tony's character was just spellbinding. And now 9 years later, Hancock's Half an Hour is still a regular part of my radio listening.

When i discovered the manner of Tony's death, it really hit me. A man who i'd taken solace in and listened to since i was young, to go out in such a scared way was so poignant. When we lost Hancock, we lost an icon. A beaten soul. x

[custardaghost]

Things just seem to go wrong too many times

I first heard that 40 years ago and its still the most gut-wrenching phrase I ever heard - and the most accurate.

[LeBartman]

He taught me to eat eggs, and now they are my favorite food. "Hapiness" is truly "egg-shaped."

[Feisty1967]

Very sad what happened to him, I wish somebody could have saved him.

[rottenveiller]

obiteries

[amarone1956]

I can't imagine how sad his final moments were. He was superb and it's a shame that he'll never know how much he and his work are loved.

[JuanMacready]

Hancock was a homosexual.

[moinombredeux]

@JuanMacready Maybe, but what's your point?

[cedrikledlp]

@JuanMacready

And..?

[basher999]

@JuanMacready

so was julius caesar. is that a problem?

[denanme]

your comment looks like something you see

on the wall of a public toilet written by a 16 year old

prat who snifs bostic.

Elaborate.

[LSGaravard]

Any fans of the great man and his work should check out the Manic Street Preachers song Send Away The Tigers which is far from subtle in its homage to Tony with lines such as "things have gone wrong too many times", "tiger's claws still in my back" and "little things change people's lives" Besides that it's also a great song from a fine band. Hancock forever. LSG x

[JLDoggard]

@LSGaravard Yes, also Ritchie Edwards said that Hancock's suicide note about "things went wrong too many times" was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever read.

[redredreds100]

This rally is a wonderful tribute to Tony

[Sarahfreckle]

Alcohol is a depressent and a poison to the body and brain. Was he being treated for depression? I know there was a great stigma in Britain about mental illness in those days. Today he could be treated more successfully but there are still self-destructive geniuses and there are more means of self-destruction than ever. All I know is he was very very funny.

[Perter43]

It should serve as an important lesson that celebrities need the protection their fans can offer.

Fans can create a space for those they worship.

It is this lack of space that creates the demons which plague celebrities.

[redredreds100]

@Perter43 what an absolute lot of bollocks, it's so obvious that hancock suffered from depression, way before we understood or knew much about the disease.

[amarone1956]

I can't imagine going from the height of fame to a solitary death in a flat in Australia.

[Stereolabdream]

@amarone1956 Why not? No disrespect intended, but why not? He was a complex man as we know.

And certainly, the culture of celebrity has taught us that "the height of fame" is no guarantee of happiness. None at all.

They are just people.

[cotterj99]

Very sad. A true great. I thought the Sid James bit was poignant.

[mrscravatte1]

Love him, love him, love him. Met Alan Simpson a couple of months back, what a charming, humble gentleman. Rest in peace, Tony x

[grai]

I always loved the rhythm in the line "it may be just a smear to you mate but its life and death to some poor wretch"

And also Hancock's suicide note:"things go wrong too often"

[krakenwave]

@grai

"Things seem to go wrong too many times"

[grai]

which of us cannot relate to that!!

[dacotv]

I love Tony Hancock. The very first radio episode I heard was the 'School Reunion'. Brilliant. What a sad end to a terrific comedy actor. God bless 'im.

[rgadave]

Like so many talented very funny people their lives are plagued with demons. R.I.P.

[Cardiff67235]

RIP TONY HANCOCK...Just purchased the box set :))))))))))))

[amarone1956]

The audiotapes or DVDs? I have the videotape box set that I purchased years ago.

[Cardiff67235]

The dvd's tbh. Have The Blood Doner on vinyl though.

[itkapatanka]

thanks.

brilliant comic

brilliant documentary...perhaps you can include their names?

[Harvey030547]

A very sad loss to all. Still missed.

[stillavril]

I say this as a fan and someone who grew up listening to Hancock, and listen still.

I think he suffered from great insecurity which exacerbated his need of alcohol, which in turn impared his ability to perform, which made him resort to the bottle even more.

He was very very good within a limited range. Would never have gone on to be a good 'serious' actor, and seemed to have no idea where to turn after Galton & Simpson.

It's like there was no real Tony, only 'Hancock' the character.

[mashamorgan]

Its so sad that someone who brought so much laughter to the world had to endure so much sadness. Luv ya Tone !

[Krzyszczynski]

Hearing about Tony's death came as no surprise at all, even though I was a very young 18 at the time, with next to no experience of the world and its darker by-ways. Hard to know which was the more horrifying - the news itself, or the realisation that I'd more or less been expecting it.

Incidentally, he'd had a severe emotional blow a few days earlier, on learning that his second wife, Freddie (that's her picture on the wall behind him in the opening shot), had been granted a divorce.

[tazzarman]

I watched an old film of his recently for the first time involving an horrible statue,it was so funny,even the best get lonely,did he die through alchol

[Gruntol5]

I don't think this extract does justice to Tony Hancock's comedy genius at all. It presents him just as an alcoholic, manic depressive. He was much more than that. Hancock's Half Hour is still very funny 40 odd years later. I can completely understand the way he felt going from gloomy, but familiar England to sunny but alien Sydney, and being stuck in a hotel 11,000 miles from home. The culture shock when arriving in Australia, particularly then, must have been overwhelming.

[spangle69]

V good indeed. Just finishing John Fisher's TH biography. Probably the saddest book I have ever read. BTW...the Bees' soundtrack to this film works really well.

[numpty1972]

Do you know where I can get the music used?

[AlanHilter]

Bloody brilliant, end of. Anybody disagreeing should expect a rant off me. If there is a heaven (and I've never been sure either way) then I hope that Tone is up there now and knows just how much happiness he brings to people born decades after his death.

[whouster]

A prime example of a tortured genius - a truly brilliant comic performer.

[annoianoid]

i just googled tony hancock reads winnie the poo, nothing came up! lost to the public forever i guess.

[minderlover]

R.I.P Mr Hancock.

R.I.P Tommy Cooper

[RevolverScot]

Unlike Monty Python, Hancock travels so well

[blackpoolbarmpot]

Tony was a comic genius, but sadly also a manic depressive and alcoholic which eventually ruined his career. I don't think Tony ever realised just how good he really was. He quite literally pressed his own self distruct button.

I love hearing the re-runs of 'Hancocks Half Hour' on BBC Radio 7, they are as funny today as they were all those years ago.

[amarone1956]

An enormous talent, but sadly everything you said is true. His memory will live forever.

[simonious1967]

well

he was a sad loss to comedy

and to entertainment

[banjo1968]

you f###ing grow up!

[adamrobson619]

pervert

[BillDFC]

vastly over rated.

[whatisitwhyisit]

what a tragedy what a loss

[virusinsideus]

robert downey jr as tony hancock is just a bit shocking to me! lol

[catandpiddle]

thank you.

[The0ncomingStorm]

Tony Hancock -  The Master of the Self Inflicted Wound.

A man of his calyber will not be forgotten, unless you want a punch up the bracket!!!

[robtim1]

I loved Tony HANCOCK I wished he knew we would still be watching him now !

[garykupa]

Stone me, he does

[balfnet]

Although I think Tony Hancock was excellent, I feel that he wouldnt have received the same plaudits without Galton & Simpson. The same goes for Wilfred Brambell and Harry H Corbett.

[banjo1968]

bollocks

[andyjdking]

Hancock literally died making people laugh. One of the reasons people go in to comedy apparently is often linked to an impaired reward circuitry in the brain and the inevitable depression that follows. Real tragedy

[susan2410k]

I have just watched "Hancock and Joan" on BBC4 and it was brilliant. Ken Stott played him to a tee and he deserves an award for this!!!

[JohnCandyFan1986]

watching this always makes me cry i love him im only 21 and i think he is a legend he has had me in stitches. Sid James was very funny but didnt have the talent than him so sod off banjo1968 you cretin

[stestooge]

Dont let that ignoramus get to you! Tony was/is a legend and will remain.Great to know people of your age are getting into Hancock!The legend will live on!

[adamrobson619]

Amen. Im 22 and him and peter cook are my heroes they are the template for all modern comedy

[camandmat]

I just wanted to reply to the idiot who commented below (banjo1968). Obviously he knows nothing about Hancock. Hancocks best work was in fact on his own (without Sid James). The Blood Donor, The Radio Ham, The Lift to name but a few. He is without question the one of the greatest comic actors since the war. In my view only Ronnie Barker is his equal. I suggest before people comment on something the should know the facts.

[banjo1968]

he was an acoholic who couldnt handle the fact that sid james was funnier then him

[EdWood2006]

Stone me have you gone stark raving mad man!?

[alanporic]

That's cr*p anyway. Sid loved Tony and even as they were losing contact with each other he repeatedly offered to appear with him. Tony wanted to make people laugh, but as his alcoholism got worse, his lack of self-confidence and low sense of self worth overpowered him. Obviously the alcohol fuelled the problem massively. Grow up, banjo1968.

[adamrobson619]

you are an ignorant twit

[Joodav]

Didn't know anything about him until i watched a film last night. Very funny man with a very super-intelligent/disturbed/al­coholic mind. Must have been difficult for him to sort the fairies out from the real world. He could have had a fabulous life if he hadn't been a drunk. But i don't think life would have entertaining enough for him his active mind. Everyone aroud him seemed to care but he was a chronic alcoholic. Very sad that he was loved so much and decided to end his life.

[virusinsideus]

my dad grew up listening and watching tony hancock and thru that i did too in a way, along with The Goons, Monty Python ect and Tony was a pioneer of comedy, and changed how comedy is seen today, i hope up there he realises how his legacy has endured

[virusinsideus]

are you mental!!

[captainhowdy1967]

Even if you had come to Hancock fresh today, with no background knowledge, I'd challenge anyone to say they don't find him funny in an vulnerable way, with great timing and facial expression. He was funny and loved because there was something very childlike in him that made him loved amd missed in equal measure.

[axelfols1]

...Then why do you comment? In fact, why are you here?? Maybe your an ignorant moron!

[Hickey66]

No it's not being 'ard on them down under. Handcock took the piss out of us all.

Our ups our downs. And, our bit of faith in life. and that little bit of faith is laughter.

[midguardz]

When u speak to many poor actors struggling as I do who R brilliant intellectually & creatively & inspire hope community philosophy who 'complete' scenarios that the chaotic world will never do, with its crimes going unsolved or needless cruelty unprovoked. I find alot of this savagery comes from sport rugby soccer where men who are spiritually bankrupt as individuals with no introspection can feel secure that they can prop up their stupid views by getting wallybozo down the road to agree with u

[midguardz]

& shout cheers & jeers at an overpaid superficial team that has nothing to do with their lives except they wish to embrace it. that's A for you. Baa Baa. I see it everyday. For every $ the A Govt gives to theatre 100 goes to sport in Europe it's the opposite & look at us we are the most abusive idiotic herd mentality confined to narrow tunnels of rigid political correctness gone awry. Don't tell me dear how it is I will write a book soon & expose A for the hypocritical fraud it pretends it isn't

[demon27dan]

Ken Stott is a popular British TV actor - check him out on YouTube - and Rebus (based on the novels by Ian Rankin) and Messiah are successful detective dramas. 'Hancock and Joan' will be shown on BBC4 this month, and anyone can view it on the BBC iPlayer after broadcast (see BBC website). Details of the film are also on the site, including photos. It's looking good. The film is part of the BBC's 'Curse of Comedy' season, and also has films about Frankie Howerd and Steptoe & Son.

[BlueGeneMagic]

I'm outside the UK & can't use the BBC iPlayer.. any chance anyone will upload?!

[demon27dan]

'Hancock and Joan', a BBC Film, premieres on TV in April 2008. It looks at the last few years of Tony's life and his relationship with Joan Le Mesurier. Hancock is played by Rebus and Messiah star Ken Stott.

[mashamorgan]

Just watched it, very sad to watch for true Hancock fans !!

[BlueGeneMagic]

So sad! Thanks for posting this - much appreciated.

[midguardz]

Australia is the cesspool of death of all creativity & dumbing down the intellect to an Eddy Maguire drinking she'll be right mate. All the profound talented people like Ken Williams & Hancock die early from suicide refusing to live in a world of callous fools. Born into hospitals so expensive it's cheaper to die.

into lawyers who charge so much it's cheaper to plead guilty into a country where jails are full & madhouses closed

into a place where the masses elevate fools into rich heroes.

[Hickey66]

This is a nice tribute to Tony Hancock. So was it 1966 when he died? Time flies. Every Tuesday at 8am on BBC7 I listen to him, Sid, the ozzy bloke, Ken Williams and Hatti. 'You have left your car outside the police station with no lights on Sir. That is an offence. But is is ten o' clock in the morning! Oh, yes sorry sir, just come off nights.'

[QUANTUMLORD18]

Anthony Aloysius St-John Hancock.

Bon vivant, Raconteur, Bard, Comedic Genius (with a capital: 'G', if you do not mind, please!) ... etc., etc., etc.

Late of: Railway Cuttings, East Cheam.

Who, Who else I ask you, could transform such prosaic drivel as an egg commercial, yes an egg commercial, into a minor masterpiece of eggsistential angst?! Go on! Tell me! Who?!

RIP TONE! 1924 - 1968.

You were/are the best mate!

[mikemosocw]

he was an over rated, bloated alcholic, an average performer who, through sheer arrogance thought he could survive on his own, a very big mistake as history shows, he took him self too seriously, a washed up nobody.

[amarone1956]

What have you contributed to society?

He was a great talent!

[tegid699]

He doesnt make me laugh.

Also I can't understand how a performer who has had money, adulation and success can comitt suicide, It would be a lot worse to be undiscovered and broke!

[mikemosocw]

nice one, he was over rated.

[AlanHilter]

Well then you do not understand mental illness. Money and adulation do not make an illness subside, regardless of whether it is a mental or a physical illness.

[KarkerEcoras]

"He doesnt make me laugh."

We don't care what you think, this is a tribute to a great comedian and all you can do is insult him? Also, learn to punctuate.

[AlanHilter]

Well then you do not understand mental illness. Money and adulation do not make an illness subside, regardless of whether it is a mental or a physical illness.

[KarkerEcoras]

And so you choose to disregard all of his former work? Although I agree that his split was almost definitely a factor of his suicide and did contribute to his downfall but he did do a many great things before that.

[kushtisasteem]

there can be another like the lad him self !!!!!

[haldenver]

My grandmother was a superior at the Houstans College: the twin was there until 1956

[mashamorgan]

The Australian show eeerily eclipsed his demise. A sad, lonely man going to a new frontier to resurrect a once wonderful career. That last hour and a quarter, I watched it once it was so sad, it brought me to tears. Miss you Tone, especially at xmas for some reason !!

[Picnic10]

He was like an Everyman, a well dressed sophisticate and Hamlet rolled in one. The last 40 seconds are very good. 'Good clowns never try to be funny. They are very serious but eager and hopeful creatures lost in a hostile world.' Like Kenneth Williams, he deserves, and is, known as a very serious talent.

[Picnic10]

Unless or even if they can purely live in their own world eg as a writer, the comic (or any other kind) of genius is always sad because they think what excuse do so many other, often very respected and educated, people have for NOT being geniuses? Most people don't like that of course so geniuses can be resented and secretly admired in the same breath.

[rednbluearmy69]

the best Comedian to come out of England EVER !!

[DidaDragan]

OMG! I was amazed when I saw Damaris Hayman talking in this. She is a fantastic Britsh eccentric character actress and sadly underrated in the business.

[pigpen111]

what a sad end to the one and only comedy genies that as ever walked this earth, the lad him self Tony Hancock where ever you are i bet your getting plenty laughs "MATE"..

[kloran]

So many people with this gift to give others such joy and laughter have such a void in their own lives or feel they do and too soon they are gone. Perhaps creative genius and madness are but a hair's breath apart.

May he rest in peace..............but have a big smile on his face!

[kweezycongo]

"That's the trouble with the world to-day...no respect for the aristocracy"...brilliant,brill­iant,he was the best.

[janie077]

Really really sad, my favourite comedian ever, thanks for the post

[mashamorgan]

I always felt going to Australia was the final nail in his coffin. He was lonely enough without being over there without those who cared for him. At one point in the airport when he was leaving he apparently grabbed hold of a rail and said "I cant go". I wish he hadnt. My fave comic of all time RIP Tone !!

[frankcotton]

His comedy was so natural, it's hard to believe he was such a sad man. Rest, now, O great funny man.

[wolverine37x]

Thanks for the laughs Tony; your life wasn't in vain.

[niktwik]

A true comic genius. Nice Video.

[Dyka1]

One of Englands greatest clowns - so sad - and yet so real - he played Tony Hancock in so many sketches

[JOYDIVISION111]

he did and still does give so much joy to others rip Tone

[troublemaker1973]

So sad...

[harryjohnhill1]

thanks for that.a programme that was made by people with such obvious love for the subject

[tubular167]

a pint.. why thats nearly an armfull..a sad tragic end to britains greatest comic talent

[Suzievegan]

What a sad and tragic man. He was truely one of the greatest, so sad what alcohol can do to a life. Thanks for this video.

[martinjolsbluearmy]

r.i.p the great man - tony hancock = the funniest man of all time

[ivandunne]

Great post, and very sad. Thanks for that.

[philip230357]

You're all ravin' mad!

[astapler]

"It may be just a smear to you, mate, but it's life and death to some poor wretch."

[gordonpritchard]

Thank you very much for posting this video.

[LaPerulera]

What a tragic man - so sad

[districtline]

A sad end to a great talent....thx for posting.