Book description
The first ever intimate portrait of Britain's best-loved, but little
known, comedy entertainer. Fully authorised, and written by Cooper's
friend and colleague John Fisher.
More than just a comedian, Tommy Cooper was a born entertainer. Working
in a golden age of British comedy, Cooper stood - literally - head and
shoulders above the crowd, and had a magical talent for humour that
defied description.
But there was a man behind the laughter that few people saw. John
Fisher was Cooper's friend and colleague and witnessed first-hand the
moments of self-doubt and inadequacy that contrasted with the genial
exterior. Until his tragic death on live television in 1984, Tommy
Cooper lived in constant fear of the day he would be found out by his
audience. He could never accept the accolades that came so thick and
fast from every direction, and died to the sounds of laughter that he
never really believed.
Supplementing his own intimate knowledge with material accessed for the
first time from the archives of Cooper's agent and manager, Miff Ferrie,
and with the full co-operation of the Cooper family, John Fisher's warm,
honest and insightful writing skilfully brings alive the man behind the
comedic mask in this definitive biography of a comedy legend. 'A
monumental and masterly biography of the great Cooper.' Daily Mail
'A masterful work that will deservedly find its way into the Christmas
stockings of anyone interested in showbiz.'
The Stage
'It's a measure of how funny he (Cooper) was that this book had me on
the floor even when reading about gags I've never seen. Yet this is no
hagiography. While it has chapter and verse on how Cooper's comic chaos
came into being, it also tells how one of our country's greatest
bringers of joy was a boozy, tight-fisted, foul-mouthed, faithless old
misery.' The Sunday Times.
'This book is an accolade to a truly talented and complex man who was
much more than just a comic.' The Sun
' "The definitive biography of a comedy legend" - for once a
book lives up to its blurb.'
Michael Parkinson
'John Fisher's biography admirably captures the Cooper magic.' The Oldie
'A book with unrivalled access to (and knowledge of) its elusive
subject.' The Independent
'… a well balanced, very well researched and thoroughly enjoyable book
that at times will have you laughing out loud.' **** The Irish Examiner
John Fisher has a long and distinguished career as a TV producer working
in light entertainment with such giants of comedy as Bob Monkhouse,
Spike Milligan, Bruce Forsyth & Tommy Cooper. His most recent work
includes Channel 4's critically acclaimed “Heroes of Comedy”. An
authority on popular entertainment, he has written many books on the
subject. 'Jus' Like That!', his stage celebration of Tommy's life, was a
recent West End hit. He is also a member of the Inner Magic Circle.
