Tony Hancock
@East_Cheam_Lad
Followers
17K
Following
29K
Media
5K
Statuses
17K
Official account of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society. Co-podcaster Very Nearly An Armful, official Tony Hancock podcast
Joined June 2011
A pint? Have you gone raving mad? I mean, I came here in all good faith, to help my country. I don't mind giving a reasonable amount, but a pint? Why, that's very nearly an armful!. #TheBloodDonor
49
184
689
BREAKING NEWS! 1/3 We're absolutely thrilled that a lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour has been found, restored, & will be broadcast on Radio 4 on 18 October. The The Marriage Bureau was never repeated and has not been heard since 1955. Only episode to feature Peter Sellers.
86
629
3K
As we commemorate the passing of Tony Hancock, who died 50 years ago #OTD 1968, let's not dwell on his personal tragedy but focus on the wonderful legacy he left us to enjoy. Pure genius. #Hancock50
37
245
694
Absolutely thrilled that our star guest at the society's annual dinner tonight was mega Hancock fan the one and only @missdianemorgan ! Diane chatted about her love of the lad and was very generous of her time with fans, we thank her so much!
28
34
677
Remembering the brilliant John Le Mesurier whom we lost #OTD 15 November 1983. Hancock met him when JLM was married to Hattie Jacques and Hancock was working with her in Educating Archie. They became life long friends and their scenes together on TV and on film are comedy gold.
16
119
692
Taķe the case of Doubting Thomas who was sent to Coventry 4 looking through a keyhole at Lady Godiva. Can anybody prove he was looking at her? Can anybody prove it was he who shouted out "Get your hair cut"? Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?.#RIPRayGalton
13
198
596
Very sad to hear that Sylvia Syms has passed away. A wonderful actress with a long career on film and TV, remembered by Hancock fans for her role in The Punch and Judy Man, released 60 years ago this year.
14
77
609
Today we celebrate Hancock's centenary. Born #OTD 12 May 1924, Hancock rose through the ranks of stage and radio to become Britain's top comedian, famous for Hancock's Half on radio from 1954 and later on TV. He left a wonderful legacy of laughter for us to enjoy #Hancock100
22
142
594
Remembering Tony Hancock whom we lost #OTD 25 June 1968, best known for his BBC shows which ran for over 160 episodes on radio and TV from 1954 to 1961. His work, and that of his writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, is still loved and enjoyed all these years later. What a legacy!
13
126
581
Today we remember Tony Hancock, whom we lost #OTD 25 June 1968. Best remembered for his BBC radio and TV shows from 1954 to 1961, over 160 episodes in all. We thank him and his writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, for the wonderful comic legacy and the decades of laughter.
21
121
538
So sad to hear that Dame June Whitfield has passed away. She appeared in Hancock's Half Hour and Hancock for the BBC, including her famous role in 1961 as the nurse in the Blood Donor, and all six episodes of Hancock's for ABC TV in 1967
14
121
534
Married?. No. Engaged?. No. Regular girlfriends?. No. Casual girlfriends?. No. Do you like women?. Yes!. Do they like you?. No. Do they laugh at you?. Yes. In what way?. In the worst possible way!. Are you sought out at parties?. No. Sorted out sometimes, then slung out!
6
115
510
Pub landlords complained that their premises were empty when he was on, The Queen Mother said everything stopped at the Palace to see his shows. Born #OTD 12 May 1924, Tony Hancock, comedy genius who with writers Galton and Simpson created a character that changed British comedy.
10
142
507
Stone me! The lad 'imself has ten thousand followers! Thank you to all Hancock fans for keeping alive the memory of such a comedy genius, celebrating the unique writing skills of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and remembering such a wonderful supporting cast! @TonyHancockAS
20
68
483
It's a waste of time me reading, I can't remember anything. I've got too much on my mind, you see. Nuclear warfare. Future of mankind. China. Spurs. Yes, it's hard graft for we intellectuals these days! Never mind, let's have a quick go at Bertrand Russell!.#NationalReadABookDay
14
115
459
Remembering Sid James whom we lost #OTD 26 April 1976. Galton and Simpson saw Sid in The Lavender Hill Mob and wanted him for Hancock's Half Hour. For the first few radio shows he pulled his hat over his eyes so he couldn't see the audience!. "What's my girl like, Sid?"
12
98
454
#OTD 25 June 1968 we lost Tony Hancock. He is best remembered for his BBC shows which ran on radio and TV from 1954 to 1961, over 160 episodes in all. We thank him and his writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, for the wonderful comic legacy and the decades of laughter.
32
111
456
It's a waste of time me reading, I can't remember anything. I've got too much on my mind, you see. Nuclear warfare. Future of mankind. China. Spurs. Yes, it's hard graft for we intellectuals these days! Never mind, let's have a quick go at Bertrand Russell.
13
87
429
#OTD 26 May 1961, the first episode of Hancock's brilliant final BBC series, The Bedsitter, was broadcast, attracting a record audience of 14 million. Alone in his bedsit, Hancock decides he needs to get to grips with the writing of Bertrand Russell.
14
98
432
Very sad to hear that Hancock's widow, Freddie Ross Hancock, passed away on 27 November aged 92. She was a great friend of the society, attending several events. At one, she bought Champagne for everyone, saying "I love meeting you all as you know more about my life than I do!"
5
65
431
Remembering Ray Galton, born #OTD 17 July 1930. In 1959 Ray and co-writer Alan Simpson received a call from Hancock & producer Duncan Wood rehearsing HHH episode 12 Angry Men. One of Hancock's speeches seemed to end too quickly, could they write a bit more? This was the result.
15
95
426
#OTD 11 March 1960 a classic episode of TV Hancock's Half Hour was broadcast, The Missing Page. Hancock, Sid James and Hugh Lloyd on top form. The mime as Hancock explains to Sid the plot of a book in a hushed library is one of sitcom's all time best scenes #MissingPage60
28
129
398
A very H-H-Happy Christmas to all Hancock fans from all of us at 23 Railway Cuttings! Thank you for sharing the incredible legacy of The Lad and his brilliant writers, Galton & Simpson! By the way, Sid has made the Christmas pudding. #MerryChristmas2020
19
63
412
A very H-H-Happy Christmas to all Hancock fans from all of us at 23 Railway Cuttings! Thank you for sharing the legacy of laughter bequeathed to us by Hancock and his brilliant writers, Galton & Simpson! Has Sid has put any tanners in the Christmas pud?. #MerryChristmas2021
17
61
417
Remembering Tony Hancock whom we lost #OTD 25 June 1968, best known for his BBC shows which ran for over 160 episodes on radio and TV from 1954 to 1961. Thanks to him and his writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, for their wonderful comic legacy and the decades of laughter.
15
102
410
Remembering the wonderful Sid James who died #OTD 26 April 1976. Sid co-starred in all six radio and all six TV series of Hancock's Half Hour. In the radio version, he appeared in more episodes than any other actor, including Hancock!
12
63
402
Celebrating the life & comedy legacy of Tony Hancock born #OTD 12 May 1924 who, with writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, changed British comedy and influenced all the best sitcoms since. Even now, mention Magna Carta and we are transported back to a TV courtroom over 50 yrs ago
23
111
389
25
89
390
So sad to hear that Andreè Melly passed away on 31 January. Andreè appeared in the second and third radio series of Hancock's Half Hour and was a talented performer on stage and in film. She was the last surviving regular actor from the radio version of HHH.
22
69
386
#OTD 25 June 1968 we lost Tony Hancock. Best remembered for his BBC shows which ran for over 160 episodes on radio and TV from 1954 to 1961. We remember him and his writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, for their wonderful comic legacy and the decades of laughter. Cheers mushes.
13
86
392
As we remember Sid James, whom we lost #OTD 26 April 1976, we can enjoy this wonderful clip from Hancock' Half Hour; what supreme talent!
10
75
392
Remembering the wonderful Kenneth Williams whom we lost #OTD 15 April 1988. Kenneth was a relatively unknown actor when BBC producer Denis Main Wilson offered him a role in the radio Hancock's Half Hour. He went on to appear in 88 radio episodes and six TV episodes of HHH.
14
66
392
So lovely to see Pat Coombs trending. Like everyone else, I have no idea why. Doesn't matter, she was a wonderful actor and brilliant with Hancock.
8
33
363
Remembering the inimitable Bill Kerr whom we lost #OTD 28 August 2014. Bill worked his way up on radio after the war, known as the boy from Wagga Wagga, before joining the cast of Hancock's Half Hour from 1954-59. Bill's laughter off-mic is one of the greatest joys of HHH.
20
36
374
Very sad to hear that THAS member Damaris Hayman has passed away. She appeared in Tony's final British TV series, Hancock's, in 1967 becoming his great friend in his final year. He loved Winnie the Pooh and she would read it to him. Wonderful actress.
15
36
383
He's done it again! @RHarrisonMedia has found another lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour! Fantastic news for Hancock fans, can't wait for @RadioCircleUK to hopefully restore it.
Really excited to announce that I've found another missing "Hancock's Half Hour" from 1955- it's the legendary edition where Hancock returns and meets Harry Secombe. With luck @RadioCircleUK will restore it so that people can hear it once again!
18
50
357
Remembering lovely Liz Fraser, born #OTD 14 August 1930. Liz impressed Hancock when she played a Teddy Girl in lost TV episode of HHH The Dancer in 1956. She was invited back for five more TV episodes and radio episode The Picnic. She also served non frothy coffee in the Rebel.
12
65
362
#OTD 23 June 1961, first broadcast of the comedy for which Hancock is perhaps best remembered, The Blood Donor. Not only a classic performance, it was also one of the finest scripts ever penned. As was normal, Galton & Simpson only delivered it two weeks before broadcast.
18
94
350
Remembering Ray Galton OBE who passed away #OTD 5 October 2018. Ray & Alan Simpson wrote over 160 radio and TV episodes of Hancock's Half Hour and Hancock and the lad's first film in a starring role, The Rebel. Ray's favourite episode was The Bowmans, let's enjoy in his memory.
17
71
366
Remembering John Le Mesurier, born #OTD 5 April 1912. He and Hancock knew each other socially before Hancock invited him to appear with him on TV in Hancock's Half Hour, and later in both his major films, The Rebel & The Punch and Judy Man. A superb actor.
14
61
345
Hancock fans, if you liked the colourisations and would like to see more, which episode of Hancock's Half Hour/Hancock would you like to see in glorious colour? Only ONE episode please! Please reply and retweet. We will pass results to UKTV in case they decide to do more
150
66
345
Great news! We are thrilled that the lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour, A Visit to Swansea, found by @RHarrisonMedia will be broadcast on Hancock's 100th on 12 May R4 Extra at 6.15pm, first airing since 1955. This is the only episode to feature both Hancock and Harry Secombe
13
84
361
Remembering the wonderful Liz Fraser who would have been 90 today, born #OTD 14 August 1930. Liz impressed Hancock when she played a Teddy Girl in lost TV episode The Dancer in 1956, and she was invited back for radio and tv shows. She also served non frothy coffee in the Rebel
10
51
342
So sad to hear that Ray Galton OBE has passed away. Ray and Alan Simpson met Hancock in 1951 and began a partnership that saw them write many of his sketches, every radio and TV episode of Hancock's Half Hour, and The Rebel. Heartfelt condolences to his family @India_Rose_
15
112
338
#OTD 22 April 1958 one of the most ground breaking episodes of the radio HHH was broadcast, Sunday Afternoon at Home. A group of people sit at home on a 1950s Sunday, nowhere is open, nothing happens. Boredom. Silences. Brilliance. A comedy masterclass.
32
65
329
Happy new year and welcome to 2024, Hancock's centenary. If he could have known that we are still enjoying his films, TV and radio shows, his @NearlyAn podcast, attending events and screenings, and had an appreciation society for 48 years, he might just have said, "Stone me!"
11
50
352
We are delighted that Hancock's great niece Lucy Hancock and actor, writer, pirate and Missing Hancocks star @exkevinmcnally have agreed to be patrons of The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society. Thank you both!
6
37
346
Remembering Ray Galton OBE, born #OTD 17 July 1930. Ray and Alan Simpson OBE wrote over 160 radio and TV episodes of Hancock's Half Hour, the BBC TV series Hancock, & The Lad's first major film, The Rebel. Their brilliant writing is remembered here every day, 60 yrs later
14
61
334
A very H-H-Happy Christmas to all Hancock fans from all of us at 23 Railway Cuttings! Thank you to all Hancock fans for celebrating the genius of The Lad, the sheer brilliance of Galton and Simpson, and a truly amazing supporting cast. An incredible comedy legacy #MerryChrismas
15
36
319
Tony: Do you mind, I'm trying to read, don't interrupt. I'm on the edge of my seat. Sid: Good, is it?. Tony: Good? This is red hot, this is mate. I'd hate to think of this getting into the wrong hands. As soon as I've finished it, I shall recommend they ban it!. #TheMissingPage
21
63
338
Mrs Crevatte: What's this 'orrible thing?. Tony: That, is a self portrait . Mrs Crevatte: Who of? . #TheRebel
21
68
330
Mrs Crevatte: What's this 'orrible thing?. Tony: That, is a self portrait. Mrs Crevatte: Who of?. #TheRebel
19
51
315
Married?. No. Engaged?. No. Regular girlfriends?. No. Casual girlfriends?. No. Do you like women?. Yes!. Do they like you?. No. Do they laugh at you?. Yes. In what way?. In the worst possible way!. Are you sought out at parties?. No. Sorted out sometimes, then slung out!
3
73
329
Tony: Do you mind, I'm trying to read, don't interrupt. I'm on the edge of my seat. Sid: Good is it?. Tony:Good? This is red hot, this is mate. I'd hate to think of this getting into the wrong hands. As soon as I've finished it I shall recommend they ban it!
14
61
313
Wishing you a very happy Christmas from everyone here in East Cheam! Thanks to our members and fans of The Lad Himself for celebrating the brilliant comic legacy of Hancock, his supporting cast and his writers, including the masters, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
10
45
324
Remembering John Le Mesurier, born #OTD 5 April 1912. He and Hancock were friends before the lad invited him to join Hancock's Half Hour, and later both his major films, The Rebel & The Punch and Judy Man. Seen in this clip as an intrepid birdman!
13
54
337
Remembering Ray Galton OBE, born #OTD 17 July 1930. Ray and Alan Simpson OBE wrote over 160 radio and TV episodes of Hancock's Half Hour, the BBC TV series Hancock, & The Lad's first major film, The Rebel. Their brilliant writing is remembered here every day, 60 yrs later
16
65
311
Sid: What's this stuck in me grapefruit?. Tony: That is a cherry!. Sid: Well, what's it doing there?. Tony: Its an embellishment, that's all. Sid: Well, I don't like embellishments first thing in the morning. Either we have cherries or grapefruit, I don't like them mucked about!
2
60
304
Born #OTD 12 May 1924, Tony Hancock, comedy genius who with writers Galton and Simpson created a character that changed British comedy. He met G&S at a rehearsal for radio show Happy Go Lucky in 1951 & they went on to make over 160 episodes of Hancock's Half Hour on radio and TV
13
66
313
"What's this, Joshua falls into the threshing machine?". Often voted fans favourite episode, The Bowmans, "an everyday story of simple people" was first broadcast #OTD 2 June 1961
23
55
318
Remembering Alan Simpson, born #OTD 27 November 1929, who with Ray Galton wrote over 160 episodes of Hancock's Half Hour on radio and TV. One of their many writing skills was to capture boredom, as in the brilliant episode The Bedsitter from May 1961
10
57
302
#OTD 22 April 1958 one of the most ground breaking episodes of the radio HHH was broadcast, Sunday Afternoon at Home. A group of people sit at home on a 1950s Sunday, nowhere is open, nothing happens. Boredom. Silences. Brilliance. A comedy masterclass.
26
75
301
Remembering a true legend, Sid James, born #OTD 8 May 1913. Sid co-starred in all six radio and all six TV series of Hancock's Half Hour, appearing in more radio episodes than any other actor, including Hancock!
10
52
301
A very happy Christmas from East Cheam! Thank you for your support in keeping alive the memory of one of our greatest comedians, his supporting cast, and his writers, including the masters, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Colour by @HevinghamMark
6
24
318
Remembering Tony Hancock born #OTD 12 May 1924. He is best remembered for Hancock's Half Hour, broadcast on radio from 1954 and on TV from 1956 all written by Galton and Simpson. G&S also wrote his first feature film, The Rebel, in 1961.
19
125
305
Remembering Alan Simpson OBE, who passed away #OTD 8 February 2017. He and Ray Galton wrote over 160 Hancock radio and tv scripts and the lad's first major film, The Rebel, inspiring writers to this day. He always had time for fans, a much missed friend of our society.
14
36
304
It's coming very soon! Long lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour, A Visit to Swansea with guest star Harry Secombe, about to be heard on Radio 4 Extra, first broadcast since 1955!
9
52
310
Married?. No. Engaged?. No. Regular girlfriends?. No. Casual girlfriends?. No. Do you like women?. Yes!. Do they like you?. No. Do they laugh at you?. Yes. In what way?. In the worst possible way!. Are you sought out at parties?. No. Sorted out sometimes, then slung out!
4
64
275
Quarter past two. Another 9 and 3 quarter hours before it's Monday. Depressing isn't it? I don't care much for Monday either. And me Saturdays are always spoilt thinking about Sunday! You know, I sometimes think, what's it all about? What are we here for?. #SundayAfternoonAtHome
13
43
284
Miss Pugh: Who are you going to vote for then?. Tony: Neither of them. I shall show my contempt by going down to the polling booth, taking my form, crossing both their names out and writing "get knotted" in!. #GeneralElection
11
83
298
Kenneth (labour exchange clerk) What sort of job do you have in mind?. Tony: Oh, I dont know, plenty of money, not much work, nine months a year holiday with pay, big expense allowance. Do you think that could be done?. Kenneth: Yes, if you can get enough people to vote for you!
5
75
295
All of us at THAS are saddened to hear of the passing of Liz Fraser. Liz was a great friend of Hancock and was a regular in Hancock's Half Hour in both radio and TV. Delighted she joined us at Hancock#50 celebration in June. Wonderful actress. @TonyHancockAS @RobertWRossEsq
5
58
278
Remembering the wonderful Dick Emery, born #OTD 19 February 1915. Demobbed from the RAF and struggling to succeed, he & Hancock helped each other when the money ran out. Both were at the Windmill & on Educating Archie, & Emery later appeared on Hancock's TV shows on AR-TV and BBC
16
44
297
Remembering the brilliant Kenneth Williams born #OTD 22 February 1926. Given his big break on Hancock's Half Hour in 1954 as a relatively unknown actor, he appeared in 88 radio shows spread over all six series, and six TV episodes.
8
58
288
Remembering the wonderful Kenneth Wiiliams, who died #OTD 15 April 1988. Kenneth appeared in all six series of Hancock's Half Hour on radio and also appeared in six tv episodes, only one of which, The Alpine Holiday, survives.
13
49
283
Mrs Crevatte: What's this 'orrible thing?. Tony: That, is a self portrait . Mrs Crevatte: Who of? . #TheRebel
10
42
271
Tony: Do you mind, I'm trying to read, don't interrupt. I'm on the edge of my seat. Sid: Good, is it?. Tony: Good? This is red hot, this is mate. I'd hate to think of this getting into the wrong hands. As soon as I've finished it, I shall recommend they ban it!. #TheMissingPage
16
49
279
A very H-H-Happy Christmas to all Hancock fans from all of us at 23 Railway Cuttings! Sid is providing a turkey and Miss Pugh is making the gravy, what could go wrong?
17
49
278
#OTD 9 June 1961 the first broadcast of one of the finest pieces of comedy of all time, The Radio Ham. Hancock picks up a distress call from a stricken yacht "May day? What's he talking about, that was weeks ago, this is June!"
22
49
279
Sid: Clean Dicky Dirt, new Peckham, pair of luminous almond rocks, new whistle, crease in my strides, barnet well greased up and flashing me Hampsteads at all the bona palones!. Tony: I didn't understand a word but it sounds fantastic! .#saturdaynight
11
51
264
Remembering the wonderful Hattie Jacques whom we lost #OTD 6 October 1980. Hattie met Hancock on radio show Educating Archie 8n 1951 & became firm friends. She appeared in Hancock's first tv series, The Tony Hancock Show, and later in radio and TV episodes of Hancock's Half Hour
10
32
278
Stone me, I've 'ad me jab! Do we get a badge for doing this? I mean, nothing grand, a little enamel thing, a motto, that's all. Nothing pretentious, something like "He droveth to the vaccination centre so that we can all get back to the Hand and Racquet before long".
13
66
271
I'm doing my best, it's not my fault you've got a hole in your boat. You should learn how to steer it properly in the first place! . #TheRadioHam
15
45
277
Remembering the brilliant John Le Mesurier whom we lost #OTD 15 November 1983. Hancock invited him to appear in Hancock's Half Hour and Hancock for the BBC, the ATV series Hancock, & both his main films, The Rebel and The Punch and Judy Man. Their scenes together are comedy gold
13
40
271
#OTD 25 March 1960, the classic episode of Hancock's Half Hour, The Reunion Party, was broadcast. The four musketeers, former army pals Smudger Smith, Chalky White, Ginger Johnson and Kippers Hancock got together to reminisce. Sid had memories of bravery too.
14
57
273
I want nothing to do with politics, what do they do for the common man? My cat got stuck up a tree last month, I told my MP and what did he do? You may well ask. Nothing. The cat is still up there. I have to send a whiting up on a pulley every lunchtime! #ContemptOfParliament
6
71
255
Tony: It says 'ere the Mayfair Charm School for Men guarantees that I'll be knocking around with starlets and models within a fortnight . Charm School manager: Oh yes, sir. Our course guarantees to transform lifelong wall flowers into rare and beautiful orchids.
11
54
258
Born #OTD 12 May 1924, Tony Hancock, comedy genius who with writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson created a character that changed British comedy. Together they made over 160 groundbreaking episodes of Hancock's Half Hour on radio and TV, setting the bar for every sitcom since.
13
74
266
Remembering the brilliant Clive Dunn born #OTD 9 January 1920. Before patrolling Walmington on Sea, Dunn's TV break came with The Tony Hancock Show in 1956 on ATV and later appeared in Hancock's Half Hour as Ginger Johnson in the wild antics of The Reunion Party on BBC in 1960.
11
47
274
Remembering the brilliant actor Clive Dunn who died #OTD 6 Nov 2012. Before he patrolled the streets of Walmington on Sea, Dunn's TV break came with The Tony Hancock Show in 1956 on ATV and later appeared in Hancock's Half Hour as Ginger Johnson in The Reunion Party in 1960
6
39
270
Tony: It says 'ere the Mayfair Charm School for Men guarantees that I'll be knocking around with starlets and models within a fortnight . Charm School manager: Oh yes, sir. Our course guarantees to transform lifelong wall flowers into rare and beautiful orchids.
6
59
251
Remembering Sid James, born #OTD 8 May 1913. Galton and Simpson spotted Sid in The Lavender Hill Mob and wanted him for Hancock's Half Hour, but they didn't know his name. They had to go and watch it again to see the credits! . "What's my girl like, Sid?"
6
44
272
Oh it's a marvellous invention this is. I don't know what I'd do without this, I'd go crackers. Best 500 quids worth I ever spent. Opened up completely new horizons for me. Friends all over the world. None in this country but all over the world! . #TheRadioHam
15
35
251
Remembering the wonderful Sid James who died #OTD 26 April 1976. Sid co-starred in six radio and six TV series of Hancock's Half Hour. In the radio version, he appeared in more episodes than any other actor, including Hancock!
9
38
266