Frank and revealing, this fully authorised biography by Tommy's friend and colleague is the first ever intimate portrait of Britain's best-loved, but little known, entertainer. More than just a comedian, Tommy Cooper was a born entertainer. But, there was a man behind the laughter that few people saw. John Fisher witnessed first-hand the child that lingered within the adult and moments of self-doubt and inadequacy that contrasted with the genial exterior. Until his tragic death, which occurred in the middle of his act on live television in 1984, Tommy Cooper lived in constant fear of the day he would be found out by his audience. Supplementing his own intimate knowledge with material accessed for the first time from the archives of Tommy's agent and manager, with the full cooperation of the Cooper family, John Fisher brings alive the man behind the comedic mask in this definitive biography of a comedy legend.

Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing

Biographies & Memoirs

FISHER, JOHN

Arts & Literature

HarperCollins, UK

The first ever intimate portrait of Britain’s best-loved, but little known, comedy entertainer. Fully authorised, and written by Cooper’s friend and colleague John Fisher.
More than just a comedian, Tommy Cooper was a born entertainer. Working in a golden age of British comedy, Cooper stood – literally – head and shoulders above the crowd, and had a magical talent for humour that defied description.
But there was a man behind the laughter that few people saw. John Fisher was Cooper's friend and colleague and witnessed first-hand the moments of self-doubt and inadequacy that contrasted with the genial exterior. Until his tragic death on live television in 1984, Tommy Cooper lived in constant fear of the day he would be found out by his audience. He could never accept the accolades that came so thick and fast from every direction, and died to the sounds of laughter that he never really believed.
Supplementing his own intimate knowledge with material accessed for the first time from the archives of Cooper's agent and manager, Miff Ferrie, and with the full co-operation of the Cooper family, John Fisher's warm, honest and insightful writing skilfully brings alive the man behind the comedic mask in this definitive biography of a comedy legend.

Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing: The Definitive Biography of a Comedy Legend

Harper

Frank and revealing, this fully authorized biography by Tommy's friend and colleague, acclaimed TV producer John Fisher, is the first ever intimate portrait of Britain's best-loved, but little known, comedy entertainer. With a love of laughter stemming from a magic performance gone wrong when he was just a child, Cooper enlisted in the army at the age of 18 and perfected his comic timing on his army colleagues in the Egyptian desert. The man with the Fez was born. Cooper was the heart of the thriving British variety scene, and was adored by his legion of fans and much revered on the comedy circuit. The gentle giant of entertainment accompanied his bewildered, botched magic act with a sublime sense of timing and a face that was made for comedy. Everyone has a favorite Tommy Cooper moment or joke, but this is the story from his life-long friend John Fisher, using the archives of Tommy's manager Miff Ferrie to reveal the man behind the laughs.

Tommy Cooper: Always Leave them Laughing: The Definitive Biography of a Comedy Legend

Tony Hancock was regarded as the best radio and television comic of his era and the founder of the British sitcom. A man whose star burned brightly in the eyes and ears of millions before his untimely death. This is the first fully authorized account of his life.

Tony Hancock: What Kind of Fool? The Definitive Biography

Regarded as the best radio and TV comic of his era, Tony Hancock was a man whose star burned brightly in the eyes and ears of millions before his untimely death in 1968. Now, forty years on, critically acclaimed biographer John Fisher brings the first fully authorised account of his life.
Tony Hancock was one of post-war Britain’s most popular comedians – his radio show ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ would clear the streets as whole families tuned in to listen.
His peerless timing and subtle changes in intonation marked Hancock out as a comic genius. His character ‘Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock’ was an amplification of his own persona, a pompous prat whose dreams of success are constantly thwarted. The original British loser that we recognise in Victor Meldrew and Alan Partridge. Wonderfully supported by a cast including Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams, and working with scripts from Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Hancock became a huge star. The show was commisioned for TV, showcasing his talent for hilarious facial expression, and he became the first British comedian to earn a thousand pounds a week.
Behind Tony Hancock’s success however hid the self-destructive behaviour that plagued him all his life. Prone to self-doubt, and wanting to be the star of his own show, he got rid of James, and finally dismissed Galton and Simpson who had created the platform for his success.
His private life was wracked by his ever increasing alcoholism and bouts of depression, and his relationships shattered by his capacity for violence. His ratings fell and, feeling washed up and alone after divorcing his second wife, he committed suicide in an Australian hotel room in 1968.
Now, forty years after his death John Fisher explores the turbulent life of a man regarded by his peers as one of the greatest British comics to have ever lived.

Tony Hancock: The Definitive Biography

History

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Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Gardening & Landscape Design

Constable

A Colour Guide to Rare Wild Flowers (Celtic Interest)

Constable and Company Ltd.

The Origins of Garden Plants

Science & Math

Technology

Constable & Robinson Ltd.

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