Fifty years of Hancock's half hour - Richard Webber

Many people consider Tony Hancock to be the finest comic actor of them all. November 2004 sees the 50th anniversary of his best-loved work, Hancock's Half-Hour, which began as a radio series, penned by the writers Galton and Simpson. Two years later, the first of 58 TV instalments had been screened, and Hancock's genius, coupled with Galton and Simpson's brilliant scripts, ensured that the show soon became a yardstick against which all subsequent British sitcoms have since been measured.
Amazingly, no book has ever been written about the show.

Fully authorised by Galton and Simpson, Fifty Years of Hancock's Half-Hour is a full history of the show, including how the show came about, behind-the-scenes stories from Hancock's fellow artists and members of the crew and production team, and the story of its demise. Incorporating extracts from the shows, the book will also feature photographs and a full listing of the radio and TV episodes.

Richard Webber is the author of many TV-related books including a number of authorised Dad's Army titles, including the hugely successful Dad's Army scripts, as well as books about Only Fools and Horses, Porridge, Rising Damp, Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em and The Good Life.

"Fans of the "lad himself" will lap up the minutiae in this biography... full of gems."
The Independent

"A timely tribute to a wonderful group of people who, for 50 years, have made a nation laugh."
Sunday Express