Tommy Cooper - Flawed Genius

Thomas Frederick Cooper, born on 19 March 1921 in Caerphilly, Wales, was not born big. In fact the midwife said he was a weakling.

Audio: Memories of Tommy Cooper 30 years after he died

Thirty years ago today Caerphilly-born comedian Tommy Cooper died of a heart attack while performing live on TV.

Tudor Jones, a former comedy script writer and secretary of the Tommy Cooper Society, talked about his memories of the performer on BBC Radio Wales.

Interview: Jason Manford on Tommy Cooper

It's become a cliche that the audience are laughing before he spoke, but they actually were.

Interesting objects: Tommy Cooper's fez

Sophisticated men with style used to wear a fez as part of their luxury smoking garb. Cooper transformed it into a comedy prop.

ITV biopic focuses on alcoholic side of Tommy Cooper

His fans loved him but a new biopic of the comedian explores his darker side as a violent alcoholic who couldn't choose between his wife and mistress.

David Threlfall interview

"Audiences already loved Tommy, but when his magic tricks didn't work, they loved him all the more," says Threlfall.

Tommy Cooper's magic props to be used in ITV biopic

David Threlfall will play the legendary comedian in his original home - using props found in the attic.

'I was there in the theatre that night'

Comedy scriptwriter Nigel Crowle - tells me: "I was working for the Presentation Department at BBC Television Centre that night"