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Nearly 30 years Since Tommy Cooper died on stage

Apple grapeApple grape Posts: 112
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in General Discussion #1
April the 15th will mark the actual anniversary

Where you watching that night?
What are you memories of it?
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    Vodka_DrinkaVodka_Drinka Posts: 28,753
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    #2
    Was only a baby when this happened, but I've heard the story from my dad so many times I know it off by heart. He collapsed on stage and everyone was laughing thinking it was part of the act, they lowered the curtain and you could see his feet sticking out. Then they wheeled out another comedian (Les Dennis I believe?) who performed with Tommy's feet still sticking out from under the curtain.

    His death was then announced on the evening news after the show had finished.

    The incident is available to view online, but I've no desire to see it.
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    Biffo the BearBiffo the Bear Posts: 25,859
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    #3
    Yes, we were watching it at home. My mum clicked straight away as she used to be a sister in A&E, but I was a bit young to understand.
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    exlordlucanexlordlucan Posts: 35,375
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    #4
    Some tricks take time to realise but this one takes the biscuit.
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    ShrikeShrike Posts: 16,609
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    #5
    I recall it happening, but didn't actually see the programme.
    Problem for the producer/director is that playing dead was exactly the sort of thing Tommy would do, so sadly its possible he contributed to his own death as they left him so long before getting medics to him.
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    RellyRelly Posts: 3,469
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    #6
    HOW MANY?? :o Bladdy hell, I've just realised I've got one foot in the grave.
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    NX-74205NX-74205 Posts: 4,691
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    #7
    We were watching it. Such a sad loss, the man was a genius.
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    RadiomaniacRadiomaniac Posts: 43,510
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    #8
    We were all watching. Thought it was part of the show.
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    RellyRelly Posts: 3,469
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    #9
    So, the OP (now the shock is numbing a bit). No, I wasn't watching it - I heard on the news later, and was very glad I wasn't watching it when it happened. I remember some people I knew feeling very guilty because they'd laughed, thinking it was one of his comedy tricks. They weren't to know, of course, but rationality doesn't help with guilt sometimes.
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    Kiko H FanKiko H Fan Posts: 6,546
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    #10
    I've seen his statue, many times.
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    suncitysuncity Posts: 368
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    #11
    I remember watching it on YouTube for the first time only the other year. It could have been a lot more graphic and traumatic for people to watch. Then again, the world was a softer place 30 years ago.
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    Dr. ClawDr. Claw Posts: 7,375
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    #12
    saw it on youtube, it was most unfortunate for him :kitty:
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    Apple grapeApple grape Posts: 112
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    #13
    I'm sure they would have cut it a lot sooner if it happend today. That was some delay
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    RadiomaniacRadiomaniac Posts: 43,510
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    #14
    Strange delayed double post, deleted!
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    Bedlam_maidBedlam_maid Posts: 5,922
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    #15
    I was watching, mum was in the kitchen and I shouted to her, 'Mum, Tommy Cooper has just died on stage. She told me not to be silly.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 8,510
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    #16
    Apple grape wrote: »
    April the 15th will mark the actual anniversary

    Where you watching that night?
    What are you memories of it?

    I was watching it thinking... this isn't that funny yet everyones laughing... I realise now he wasn't trying to be funny, but Im glad he died with the laughter around him
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    Terry WigonTerry Wigon Posts: 6,831
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    #17
    It was my 14th birthday but I didn't see the 'Live at Her Majesty's' though. I think we were watching BBC (something like 'All Creatures Great and Small' I guess) as it was a Sunday night and if it wasn't Easter hols, I had school in the morning. Saw it on the news soon afterwards and was shocked that someone died live in TV.

    Jimmy Tarbuck was the compere and I don't envy whoever went on to perform after that event.
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    Phoenix LazarusPhoenix Lazarus Posts: 17,306
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    #18
    Does anyone else remember how the cover of that week's TV Times featured a big photo of Tommy Cooper, with a cheerful grin on his face, to advertise the show?
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    GroutyGrouty Posts: 34,041
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    #19
    I didn't think his act was that bad.

    Boom boom.

    Sorry :(

    Loved Tommy Cooper. :)
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    bluebladeblueblade Posts: 88,859
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    #20
    Apple grape wrote: »
    April the 15th will mark the actual anniversary

    Where you watching that night?
    What are you memories of it?

    Funnily enough I was watching him and Eric Sykes in "The Plank", a few nights ago. Comedy greats, both of them, and a sad loss.

    Very little dialogue in that film, and only they could have made the situation as funny as it was.

    Was nearly 11 at the time, and never saw the tragedy.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,118
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    #21
    I was at a friends house with a few other mates and her mum shouted out that TC had just died on stage " just like that" came the immediate reply from one of my more witty pals :)
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    Pisces CloudPisces Cloud Posts: 30,239
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    #22
    I never found Tommy Cooper funny and I remember thinking that it was just more silliness with regards to his act.
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    Jesse PinkmanJesse Pinkman Posts: 5,794
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    #23
    Yes I was watching it live when it happened and first thought it was part of the act and then when they carried on just thought that it was a strange way to end his act. It wasn't until the announcement on the news that followed that it finally smacked me in the face as to what I had just watched.

    For years I wanted to see it again but it wasn't on the internet anywhere. Then all of a sudden it was put up by someone, but I had since changed my mind about wanting to see it again.
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    Jesse PinkmanJesse Pinkman Posts: 5,794
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    #24
    Whilst many many people thought he was hilarious, I never did rate him or Hancock.

    And Tommy Copper was tight with his money and famously never brought a round in his life, but would drink drinks that others had brought.
    He also had a long time affair with his PA which I think his wife knew about.

    So not a very nice person at all.
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    CryolemonCryolemon Posts: 8,670
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    #25
    Vodka_Drinka wrote: »
    Was only a baby when this happened, but I've heard the story from my dad so many times I know it off by heart. He collapsed on stage and everyone was laughing thinking it was part of the act, they lowered the curtain and you could see his feet sticking out. Then they wheeled out another comedian (Les Dennis I believe?) who performed with Tommy's feet still sticking out from under the curtain.

    His death was then announced on the evening news after the show had finished.

    The incident is available to view online, but I've no desire to see it.

    I thought the BiB was a myth?
    Terry Wigon wrote: »
    Jimmy Tarbuck was the compere and I don't envy whoever went on to perform after that event.

    Agreed. It reminds me of reading in Mick Foley's autobiography about him having to wrestle after Owen Hart's death.
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    d0lphind0lphin Posts: 25,355
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    #26
    We were watching the other side but I remember hearing about it on the news later. I can't believe it's nearly 30 years :o
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