julian_craster

BBC Four announce Tony Hancock play
November 23, 2007 – 2:03 pm | by Peekay


Rebus actor Ken Stott is to play comedian Tony Hancock in a BBC Four drama based on Joan Le Mesurier’s autobiography, “Lady Don’t Fall Backwards”, and Edward Joffe’s “Hancock’s Last Stand”.

Le Mesurier, to be played by Shameless star Maxine Peake, was Hancock’s lover, despite being his best friends wife.
The one-hour special will focus on the pair’s tragic relationship, as Hancock struggled with his alcohol addiction and an attempt to resurrect his career.
“Hancock remains a much-loved national treasure and this is an extraordinary insight into the mind of a comic genius,” said Ben Stephenson, BBC head of drama commissioning.
Joan Le Mesurier told Hancock that if he managed to stay off alcohol for a year and made a new life for himself in Australia, she would leave her husband, Dads Army actor John Le Mesurier, and marry him.

But Hancock never returned from Australia, committing suicide in 1968 at the age of 44.

VladTheImpala

Ken Stott as Hancock? Genius casting!

NappieB

The title of Joan's biography ("Lady Don't Fall Backwards") was the title of the book at the core of the plot of the Hancock's Half Hour episode: "The Missing Page". More genius at work!

"The future is yet to come" - George W. Bush

kelp

Does Ken do a Brummie accent then? All I ever hear are the underlying tones of his Scottish accent.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR...YOU MAY GET IT!