Morbid memorabila is up for sale

The robe worn by Tommy Cooper when he collapsed of a fatal heart attack live on TV is being auctioned off.

The rather morbid piece of memorabilia was previously owned by fellow magician Paul Daniels.

Cooper was wearing it on stage at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on April 15, 1984, for a gag in which he produced items of increasing size from within the garment.

Fellow comic Jimmy Tarbuck was waiting behind the stage curtain to pass him the props through a panel in the robe when Cooper slumped to the floor. The audience continued to laugh, believing it was part of the act, until it became clear something was wrong. 

The TV broadcast cut to a commercial break, but the show continued as an ambulance rushed Cooper to Westminster Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, at the age of 63.

Auctioneers Tennants of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, have placed an estimate of £4,000 to £6,000 on the robe, which was made to fit the Welsh comedian’s 6ft 4in frame,  when it goes under the hammer on July 23.

Daniels bought the garment at  auction, selling in in 2003 to the current vendor. It is accompanied by a signed letter from Daniels – who died in 2016 – confirming the its provenance.

Auctioneer Kegan Harrison, told the BBC: ‘We have very high hopes for it and hope it will find a good home to go to.’

Published: 18 Jun 2025