Tommy Cooper; always leave them laughing – John Fisher

Spoon, jar, jar, spoon.

Cooper is one of my comedy heroes but I knew nothing much about his life except the nature of his death. I have now remedied that with this overlong but perfectly readable tome. The author worked in television during the relevant era and uses his insider knowledge appropriately except for way too much detail on Cooper's dealings with his manager. The subject himself comes across as mean and none too bright, but he was apparently universally liked in the profession which probably tells us what we need to know.

If you're unfamiliar with the great man's work, here's a taster: