Tony Hancock (1924-1968) the English comedian, actor and all round entertainer best known for his radio show Hancock's Half Hour had a wooden leg.
It was a secret known only by those close to him. The findings have only now come to light following the release of Sid James lost diaries. Sid James played a big part in Hancock's radio and television career and few people could have known him better.
Hattie Jacques who stared with Hancock on many occasions once told Hugh Lloyd when he and Hancock were filming together in "The Punch And Judy Man" (1963) that Tony's leg had fallen off while trying to climb the monkeys eyebrow. She told Lloyd that it was important that Hancock's wooden leg should remain a secret. Lloyd didn't believe Jacques so next day he asked Hancock if he really did have a wooden leg. Hancock made him promise not to "go public" but it ended his friendship both with Lloyd and Jacques.
Years later Sid James filmed a comedy sketch about a man with a wooden leg called "Tony" with Huge Lloyd playing the part of Tony.
By this time Hancock was furious with the taunts so had his picture taken with his tongue poking out, he posted the photos to James and Lloyd with a scribbled message reading "Stick that in your pipe and smoke it" Tony Hancock sure did know how to get his own back.
