Tony Hancock was one of the most successful British comedians of modern times. From 1954 'Anthony Aloysius St.John Hancock', the lad from East Cheam, was one of the all time great British comic characters, and his radio escapades were a must for listeners everywhere.
In 1956, Tony Hancock and his writers Galton and Simpson, transferred to BBC Television. After a slow start ratings built up massively, reaching a peak in 1961. The following year Hancock moved to ITV, though the 'Hancock' series was less successful than its predecessor.
Subsequently Tony Hancock made several visits to Australia, where he was also a household name. In 1968 he returned to make a television series about an English immigrant unimpressed by the Australian 'culture'. These shows were the last Hancock made (the full series was never completed) for, on the 24 June, Tony Hancock died from a lethal combination of vodka and barbiturates.
