Sibling Roger was also his manager

Tony Hancock's brother and manager, Roger, has died at the age of 80.

The news was announced on the website of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society and reportedly confirmed by musician John Altman, who also used to be one of Roger’s clients.

He became his elder brother’s agent in 1961, when Tony Hancock decided to split with writers Alan Galton and Ray Simpson, who had helped make him a star.

He called them and his long-term agent Beryl Vertue to a meeting at his home and told the writers bluntly: ‘I have decided I don't want to do any more programmes with you,’ then turned to Vertue to add: ‘Because of your involvement with Alan and Ray it would be too embarrassing for you to look after me, so I don't want you to do that either.’

Since Hancock’s suicide seven years later, Roger has been responsible for protecting his brother’s legacy. It has been reported that Roger has blocked the release of the 1963 ATV series Tony made after leaving the BBC and his writers, because he felt it wasn’t up to scratch.

the post on the appreciation society's website said: 'Unfortunately, we do not have any more details at this time... In the meantime, we send our condolences to Roger's fmily and friends.'

.Meanwhile, a plaque has been erected to Tony Hancock at a Bournemouth social club this weekend.

Actor Richard Briers and the Kinks’ former lead guitarist Dave Davies unveiled the memorial at Avon Social Club, where Hancock made his first professional appearance, at the age of 16, in 1940.

A note discovered in the archives of the club, which was known as the Labour Halls when Hancock played there, advised its committee to carefully vet all comedians’ scripts following a complaint about a young comic – who turned out to be the lad himself.

Hancock was born in Birmingham, but brought up in Bournemouth, returning to the Midlands when he as 16.

Published: 3 May 2011