Tommy Cooper's tragic heart attack death which was watched by millions on live TV

Tommy Cooper was one of the UKs biggest comedy stars (Image: Getty)

By Fran Winston

Tommy Cooper was one of the biggest comedy stars the UK has ever produced with his combination of magic and jokes proving a winning formula.

No one could have predicted it would be his final performance. For a star of his magnitude it was somewhat fitting that he died in the middle of his set as 12 million people watched on.

However, given his penchant for left of centre gags peoole didn't immediately realise something was wrong as the segment was broadcast live.

Legendary funnyman Jimmy Tarbuck was the host of the show that night and he admits it took them a few minutes to realise something serious had happened to the star.

No one could have predicted it would be his final performance. For a star of his magnitude it was somewhat fitting that he died in the middle of his set as 12 million people watched on.

However, given his penchant for left of centre gags people didn't immediately realise something was wrong as the segment was broadcast live.

Legendary funnyman Jimmy Tarbuck was the host of the show that night and he admits it took them a few minutes to realise something serious had happened to the star.

Indeed when he first swayed and fell down backwards on stage everyone assumed it was part of the act and people in the audience laughed.

Jimmy had been waiting in the wings as he was due to perform a gag with Tommy as part of the show.

Speaking on Channel 5's Tommy Cooper unseen Jimmy recalled enquiring what was going on to the producer.

"I said to David Bell, one of the great producers, this isn't it [part of the act]. 'Now', he said, 'you know how he is. He's put this in... And...I said, No... this is not him. I said, I'm telling you. I said, I'm going on David, this is live."

Even at that stage it was unknown Tommy was dying. When they asked his son Tommy Jr if it was part of the act he acknowledged it wasn't but said his father had a bad back and wouldn't be able to get up from the fall.

Tommy Cooper's death was watched by 12 million people on live television (Image: Getty)

First published at The Daily Express, January 23, 2025