9781529941456_

A long-lost episode of Hancocks Half Hour, featuring Harry Secombe plus bonus material

Rediscovered and restored by radio enthusiasts, The Radio Circle, it was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on the 10th May 1955, just two days before Tony Hancocks 31st birthday.

Tony Hancock had taken an unscheduled trip to Italy, leaving Hancock Half Hours producer to ask Harry Secombe to step in to star for the first three episodes of the second series. The fourth episode saw Tony return, and begrudgingly make A Visit To Swansea, to thank Harry Secombe for stepping in. Although the first two minutes are sadly missing, the remainder of the show, long searched for, is gloriously restored.

Also included is an interview with Harry Secombes son, Andy Secombe, in which Andy reminisces about Tony Hancock, his relationship with Harry Secombe, and tells the background story about how Harry Secombe filled in for Tony Hancock.

Steve Punt then presents a documentary programme about The Lad Himself, who grew up in Bournemouth: Tony Hancock: From Bournemouth to East Cheam.

Thanks to Tessa Le Bars, Martin Gibbons, Keith Wickham, Richard Harrison, the Radio Circle and the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society.

...(*_*)9781529941456_

The very first publication of a legendary lost episode of Hancocks Half Hour, featuring Harry Secombe plus bonus material

One of the most popular comedies of all time, Hancocks Half Hour ran for 15 years on BBC Radio from 1954-1969. Sadly, many of the 102 shows were lost, including A Visit to Swansea but now, this piece of radio history has been rediscovered and gloriously restored.

The show Episode 4 from Series 2 is the only one to feature both Tony Hancock and Harry Secombe. For the previous three episodes, Secombe had replaced Hancock while the latter took an unscheduled trip to Rome. Here, Tony returns, to begrudgingly make A Visit to Swansea and thank Harry for filling his shoes.

Also included is an interview with Harry Secombes son Andy, in which he chats to Colin Murray about his father, his memories of Tony Hancock, and the story behind A Visit to Swansea. And in Tony Hancock From Bournemouth to East Cheam, comedian Steve Punt recounts how The Lad Himself became the first true sitcom star.

Production credits

Hancocks Half Hour written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

Produced by Dennis Main Wilson

Thanks to Tessa Le Bars, Martin Gibbons, Keith Wickham, Richard Harrison, The Radio Circle and the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society

A Visit to Swansea

Starring Tony Hancock

With Harry Secombe, Bill Kerr, Sidney James, Andree Melly and Kenneth Williams

Theme and incidental music composed by Wally Stott

Rediscovered by Richard Harrison of The Radio Circle, with an introduction by Keith Wickham

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 10 May 1955

NB: Due to the age and off-air nature of this recording, the sound quality may vary

Interview with Andy Secombe from the Colin Murray Show

Presented by Colin Murray

With Andy Secombe

First broadcast BBC Radio 5 Live, 28 November 2022

Tony Hancock From Bournemouth To East Cheam

Presented by Steve Punt

With contributions from Ken Robins, Stephen Petty, Marjorie Dawson, Bruce Barnes, George Fairweather, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson

Produced by Richard Latto

First broadcast BBC Radio Solent, 27 May 2013

2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Hancocks Half Hour: A Visit to Swansea

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