Hancock's Helpers

Russell Davies explores Tony Hancock's on and off-air relationships with his sidekicks - from Sid James to Kenneth Williams.

In 1954 the first episode of 'Hancock's Half Hour' was broadcast on radio. Few realised then that Tony and his chums would become such a massive, lasting success.

In this tribute to a true comedy classic, Russell Davies explores the on and off-air relationships between Tony and his 'helpers', Kenneth Williams, Bill Kerr, Sid James and Hattie Jacques among them.

With archive and fresh interviews, and of course some clips from those classic shows too.

Producer: Libby Cross

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2004.

***Tony Hancock 100 - Radio 4 Extra's celebration of Tony Hancock on what would have been his 100th birthday - is at 5pm Sunday 12th May 2024 - featuring rare and lost recordings, including a newly rediscovered lost episode of Hancock's Half Hour - A Visit to Swansea from 1955***