Mit : Tony Hancock, Sidney James, John Le Mesurier,

The late Tony Hancock was a master of the deadpan comic delivery method, and his 30-minute radio sitcoms became a firm favourite with BBC listeners before he transferred the format to TV in the 1960s. 'The lad', as he preferred to be addressed by his regular co-stars Sidney James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams, played an actor struggling to land key roles of the day on stage, screen and on the airwaves, but was frequently distracted each week by any passing fad or fancy that came his way. Ever-eager to seek his fortune by spreading his wings beyond the confines of his small circle of friends and neighbours in London's East Cheam, Tony's screen character dreamed of international stardom, only to be frustrated by circumstances and his manipulative house-mate Sid. Many of his fans and colleagues consider his portrayal of himself to be more of a cheeky parody of the post-war entertainment business, rather than an autobiographical indulgence. On screen, he played a disgruntled artist, charmingly naive and impressionable. He was the Victor Meldrew of his day, but as vulnerable as the late Kenneth Williams.