In this Summer Special, the three amigos are delighted to welcome comedy historian Robert Ross, following the publication of his book 'Best Sellers – Peter Sellers A Life in Comedy', to chat about all things Peter Sellers and his close connection with Tony Hancock.  In particular, we look at the films Orders are Orders and The Wrong Box and the Hancock’s Half Hour radio episode The Marriage Bureau.

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk. We have an event planned for Solihull in September 2025 and an on-line Quiz event planned for November.  More events will be added to the calendar over the coming months. We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith with the next one scheduled for November.

We’ll be back in the Autumn for a new series when we’ll be starting with a review of The Radio Ham from Hancock’s final series with the BBC.  We hope you’ll be able to join us then.

In the last podcast for this series, we look at the final television episode of Hancock’s Half Hour: The Poison Pen Letters.

The gang of three look at the poignancy of this episode, being the final one with Tony and Sid, consider the brilliant supporting cast and, debate in detail, how froate should really be spelt.  The team discuss how good the lighting is in this episode and what inspired Ray and Alan to use Studholme Berkeley as the location for Hancock’s aunt’s farm.

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk. We have an event planned for Solihull in September 2025 and more events will be added to the calendar over the coming months. We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.

We’ll be back in a couple of months with a summer special.  We hope to see you then.

In this podcast we look at the radio episode The Chef That Died of Shame from the second radio series.

The team consider how much of a departure from the usual format this episode represents, look at how, with hindsight, the episode can be seen as a reflection of Tony’s own life story and discuss the recurring character of Higgins in Hancock’s Half Hour. The gang of three go on to consider how brilliant the cast are in their different-from-usual roles and go on to compete to determine who can cook the best winkles’ feet on toast!

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk. We have an event planned for Solihull in September 2025 and more events will be added to the calendar over the coming months. We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.

We’ll be back in two weeks time with a review of the sixth television series episode The Poison Pen Letters.  We hope to see you then.

In this podcast, we look at the episode Around the World in Eighty Days from the fifth radio series

The episode, which was lost for many years, is a brilliant parody of Jules Verne’s 1872 novel.  The gang of three consider how the show encapsulates the atmosphere of 1950s Britain in the middle of the Cold War, discuss Kenneth Williams’s incredible nine different roles and Hattie Jacques’s six roles, and discuss in detail, how best to spend two and half months in Southend!

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast.  And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society – full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk   We have an event planned for Solihull in September 2025 and more events will be added to the calendar over the coming months.  We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith with the next one on the 7th June.

We’ll be back in two weeks with a review of the second radio series episode The Chef That Died of Shame.  

In the first of our new series of podcasts, we look at the radio episode The Wild Man of the Woods from the fourth radio series.

The episode, which was released on Hancock’s first LP This is Hancock, is considered by the Team as one of best of the radio episodes.  The gang look at the number of roles played by Kenneth Williams, discuss the great performances from all of the cast, consider the beautiful language used by Galton and Simpson in this episode and review probably the most well known fluff in all of the radio episodes!

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast.  And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society – full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk   We have an event planned for Solihull in September 2025 and more events will be added to the calendar over the coming months.  We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.

We’ll be back in two weeks with a review of the fifth radio series Around the World in Eighty Days.  We hope to see you then.

In our Christmas podcast this year we look at the radio episode Bill and Father Christmas which was broadcast between the fifth and sixth radio series.

The gang consider the roles of Hattie, Sid and Hancock in this episode and how they all appear in a role reversal of their usual characterisations.  They discuss the fantastic performance from Hattie Jacques in this, her final Hancock’s Half Hour and look at the brilliant contribution from Warren Mitchell. The team consider the deep philosophical references in this episode and discuss, in detail, the use of duck sound effects in Hancock’s Half Hour!

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast.  And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society – full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk   We have events planned – Steve Punt (subject to commitments) will be one of the guests at our event at Hancock’s local The Red Barn in the Spring and we are planning an event in Solihull in September 2025.  We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.

We’ll be back in the Spring with more Hancock reviews and special guest stars.  In the meantime, we wish all our listeners a merry Christmas and Happy New Year – do enjoy your turkey feet and chips.  We hope that you will be able to join us again next year.

In this episode, Tim, Jon and Martin look at the fifth television series episode The Two Murderers.

The team consider how this episode takes on the feel of a film noir, especially with regards to the lighting, look at the quality of Sid and Tony’s acting throughout this episode and discuss the palpable sense of fear that both Hancock and James manage to portray. In a moment of light relief, the gang go on to practice how to eat egg and bacon with a spoon.

Tim, Jon and Martin are delighted to welcome Dick Fiddy, consultant with the British Film Institute (BFI) who discusses Hancock’s legacy, BFI’s Missing Believed Wiped campaign and considers what programmes have been influenced by Hancock, and the superb writing partnership of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast.  And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society – full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk   We have events planned – Steve Punt (subject to commitments) will be one of the guests at our event at Hancock’s local The Red Barn in the Spring and we are planning an event in Solihull in September 2025.   In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back with our festive edition with a look at the radio episode Bill and Father Christmas soon.  We hope that you will be able to join us then.

In this episode, Tim, James, Jon and Martin celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hancock’s Half Hour with a look at the first series episode The New Car.
The team consider how lucky we are that many of the first series survive because they were made available to overseas radio stations and how good a foil for Hancock Moira Lister was. The Gang of Four discuss how the episode provides a fascinating insight into 1950s life and how it showcases the brilliant writing of Galton & Simpson so early in the first series.
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast.  And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society – full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk  We have events planned – Steve Punt (subject to commitments) will be one of the guests at our event at Hancock’s local The Red Barn in the Spring and we are planning an event in Solihull in September 2025.   In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back with a look at the radio episode The Expresso Bar soon.  We hope that you will be able to join us then.

In this special Summer edition of our podcast, we are delighted to welcome John Hewer, star of the upcoming theatre tour of lost television episodes to discuss his upcoming tour and what the audience can expect to see.

Most excitingly, the shows selected have not been seen or heard since first broadcast and it will be amazing to see these shows recreated with a full supporting cast and lovingly created sets which will include a recreation of the living room of 23 Railway Cuttings complete with picture of Queen Victoria and stuffed buzzard (well Eagles are very hard to come by!)  The nationwide tour starts on the 17th September and tickets can be booked via the Hambledon Productions website: Hancock's Half Hour: The Lost TV Episodes - Hambledon Productions  The shows being performed are The Bequest, The Auction and The Russian Prince.

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast.  And if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society – full details of how to join are at www.tonyhancock.org.uk  We have events planned – John Hewer will be one of the guests at our annual dinner in September and we are planning an event at Hancock’s old local, The Red Barn, in May 2025.   In addition, screenings of Hancock’s TV episodes on the big screen continue at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in early November with another series of the podcast looking at more of Tony’s television and radio episodes. We look forward to your company then.

Tim, Jon, James and Martin have been on the road and this episode was recorded live at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.  In it, the team look at the colourised version of The Blood Donor in the company of their special guests Adam McLean and Clayton Hickman, producer, and colourisation lead for the episode. 

The gang of four look at the excellent supporting cast in this episode and consider how many memorable lines continue to be repeated to this day!  Adam and Clay discuss in detail the complexities of the colourisation process and how satisfied they are with the final result.  An excellent Q&A session with the audience at the Riverside brings the podcast to a close.  With huge thanks to Adam and Clay and to the Riverside Studios for hosting the event.

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk.  We’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a review of the long-lost episode A Visit to Swansea (featuring a cameo role by Harry Secombe) from the second radio series.  Hope to see you then.

In this episode Tim, Jon, James and Martin look at the fourth television series episode The New Nose.  The four look at the fantastic supporting cast, many of them regulars on the television series and hear from Anabelle Lee, recorded at a Society event around 1996.
The team also discuss how the episode was one of the earliest to be recorded in segments and take a look at the scenes deleted from the video and DVD releases of the episode.
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk We have regular events for members and it would be great to welcome you along.  We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with our very first podcast recorded live at Riverside Studios where we’ll be reviewing the colourised version of The Blood Donor. Hope to see you then.

In this episode we look at the brilliant fifth radio series episode The Unexploded Bomb.  Tim, James, Jon and Martin consider how brilliant Kenneth Williams is in this episode with his two contrasting voices of the vicar and the bomb disposal expert and also look at the excellent contribution from Hattie Jacques.The Gang of Four discuss the great characters played by Alan Simpson, the edits made to the earlier vinyl and cassette release and their views on the final scene.  The four also discuss pyjama parties and how many they have been invited to and debate, in detail, how to cook a five course meal with just one saucepan.As always, the team get side tracked, this time by the Fawlty Towers vinyl box set, comedy records by Bernard Cribbins, Terry Scott, June Whitfield and Frankie Howerd and conclude with a look at the Hancock connection with The Wombles!Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk We have an event planned to celebrate what would have Hancock’s 100th birthday in May 2024 and our annual reunion dinner in September; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a review of The New Nose from the fourth television series. Hope to see you then.

In the final episode of this series of Very Nearly an Armful,  James, Jon, Tim and Martin review Cinderella Hancock from the first radio series of Hancock’s Half Hour.  They review the contribution of the enlarged cast, which included Dora Bryan and Paul Carpenter (as well as a role for the announcer Adrian Waller), and look at the huge number of stars of screen and TV that were name-checked during the episode.

The team consider how the episode is more variety and gag based than other Hancock’s Half Hours and how close to the mark many of the bawdy gags were. The episode was remade in the third series and the team consider the differences between the two versions. They also debate Hancock's actual shoe size.

The dynamic four get wildly distracted, as usual, this time by the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who, the recent Dad’s Army animations and a review of other podcasts.  Most interestingly, the team reveal the replies to a post on social media about which episode contains Hancock’s best performance.

Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk. We have an event planned to celebrate what would have Hancock’s 100th birthday in May 2024 and our annual reunion dinner in September; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. This was our last podcast of 2023 but we’ll be back in the Spring with a new series and we are currently planning to start with the brilliant fourth series episode The Wild Man of the Woods.  May we wish all our listeners a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – enjoy your turkey feet and chips.  We hope to see you when we return in the Spring.

In this episode of Very Nearly an Armful,  James, Jon, Tim and Martin review The Student Prince from the third radio series of Hancock’s Half Hour.  They consider how this episode is a riotous ride from start to finish and how unusual it is to see Sid get his comeuppance!
The team look at the inspiration for the script, consider the three brilliant roles played by Alan Simpson, decipher the reference to Valentine tractors in this original longer version of the episode and finally spend some time trying to spot Bill in The Dam busters.
The four get distracted as usual and this time consider the discovery of lost episodes of The Complete and Utter History of Britain, Hugh and I and Sykes and a…, wonder if the new AI technology used to create the latest Beatles track could be used to enhance the Hancock’s Half Hour episodes Sid James’s Dad and The Diet where only poor quality copies exist and finally discuss Will Hay films and family trees in some detail.
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk We have an event planned to celebrate what would have Hancock’s 100th birthday in May 2024 and our annual reunion dinner in September; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a review of the festive radio episode, Cinderella Hancock from the first radio series. Hope to see you then.

In this episode of Very Nearly an Armful,  James, Jon, Tim and Martin review Fred’s Pie Stall from the final radio series of Hancock’s Half Hour.  They consider how this episode, probably more than any other, provides a cultural commentary on societal changes in the late 1950s.
The team review the contribution of the brilliant guest cast, each of which has to play more than one role, discuss, in detail, the extended ‘guess what’ sequence compared to previously available edited versions of the show and exhibit their culinary expertise in a mouth-watering review of pies and pease puddings.
The Gang of Four discuss the recent amazing discovery of a lost Hancock’s Half Hour and reveal which would be their favourite lost episode that they would each like to see recovered.
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk.

 We have an event planned to celebrate what would have Hancock’s 100th birthday in May 2024 and our annual reunion dinner in September; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a review of the brilliant radio episode, The Student Prince from the third radio series. So, don your tin helmet, and hope to see you then.

In this edition of Very Nearly an Armful, James. Jon, Tim and Martin look at the earliest surviving television episode of Hancock’s Half Hour, The Alpine Holiday, from Series 2. 
The team look at the amazing supporting cast, including Richard Wattis in his only Hancock’s Half Hour role, John Vere, June Whitfield and, or course, Kenneth Williams in his only surviving televised appearance as Snide. They also consider how different this episode is without Sid James. 
The four examine the technicalities of how the show was recorded, consider how easily Hancock switches from pomposity to sheer panic in a matter of seconds and debate, in detail, which of the gang is most suited to enter the yodelling championship of East Dulwich.
The team, of course, gets distracted, this time by the recent Punch and Judy Festival in Bournemouth and by the guest appearance of Diane Morgan at the Society’s annual dinner.
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk We have an event planned to celebrate what would have Hancock’s 100th birthday in May 2024 and our annual reunion dinner in September; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with, guess what, a review of the brilliant radio episode, Fred’s Pie Stall from the final radio series. Hope that you’ll be able to join us then.

In this episode of Very Nearly an Armful, Tim, James, Jon and Martin discuss the Apollo Theatre Company nationwide tour of their Hancock’s Half Hour show and are delighted to welcome John Hewer and Colin Elmer (who play Tony Hancock and Kenneth Williams respectively) to the podcast.
The tour features performances of three lost Hancock’s Half Hour episodes from a selection of The Matador, The New Neighbour, The Winter Holiday and The Red Planet. The team discuss how John and Colin each discovered Hancock, how they approach playing the characters and how Hancock’s Half Hour being so accessible these days is opening Hancock up to a younger generation.  John and Colin are also pleased to introduce the rest of the cast: Alice Osmanski (Andree Melly), Ben Craze (Sid James), Callum Hale (Bill Kerr) and Clive Greenwood (Announcer and foley artist). Full details of the tour are available at www.Apollo theatre company.com

Included in the podcast are extracts from original Hancock's Half Hour soundtracks, The Missing Hancocks soundtracks, Hambledon Productions stage performance of The Winter Holiday starring John Hewer as Hancock and The Apollo Theatre Company's performance of Hancock in the Police from their previous tour, starring James Hurn as Hancock.
The Gang of Four get sidetracked as usual, this time into the origin on the term ‘coalboxed’, the latest Vivian Stanshall CD release and the upcoming Punch and Judy Man festival in Bognor.
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe to the podcast. And, if you haven’t done so already, why not join the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society - full details of how to join are at www. tonyhancock.org.uk We have an event planned to celebrate what would have Hancock’s 100th birthday in May 2024 and our annual reunion dinner in September; we’d love to welcome you as a member and see you at our events. We’ll be back in November with a review of the oldest surviving television episode and the only surviving episode to feature Kenneth Williams in his Snide character, The Alpine Holiday. Hope that you’ll be able to join us then.