Turning point interview rescreened

The probing TV interview that proved a crucial turning point in Tony Hancock's life is to be screened again.

Intense questioning on 1960's prestigious Face To Face programme revealed the comedian's real character to the public for the first time. It caused such a stir that the BBC considered dropping the show because they feared their star performer would lose public support when his failings were exposed.

But fans loved him all the more for it, and the show served to boost Hancock's ego, and caused him to re-evalate his whole career.

He ended his on-screen partnership with Sid James soon afterwards, and within a year had also ended his relationship with legenday writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, although they did create six more shows for Hancock in that time, including the classics The Radio Ham and The Blood Donor.

Now Hancock's critical 30-minute encounter with formidable interviewer John Freeman, a former editor of the New Statesman, is being re-run on BBC Knowledge on September 14 at 8pm.

Published: 5 Sep 2001