Treasure trove of memorabilia from the family

A treasure trove of previously unseen Tony Hancock material is to be released in a hefty new book put together by the comedian’s great-niece Lucy.

The 750-page tome, subtitled Inside His Life In Words & Pictures, will feature unproduced scrips, theatre programmes and correspondence – including contracts and telegram exchanges with other stars such as Peter Sellers, Hattie Jacques and John Le Mesurier.

It also includes a complete chronological timeline of Hancock’s life, featuring stage shows and broadcasts previously unpublished.

The memorabilia was amassed by Hancock’s brother, Roger, and has been combined with material held by the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society. Lucy Hancock compiled the book with co-authors Martin Gibbons and Tim Elms.

Kevin McNally, who played the lad himself on Radio 4’s reconstructions of The Missing Hancocks, has written a foreword.

It will be published by Kaleidoscope, who say ‘this amazing collection of archive material is a must for all Hancock fans’, priced £34.99 and available here.

Published: 29 Mar 2022