Les Dennis talks about the night Tommy Cooper died

In this clip from Tom Price's podcast My Mate Brought A Toaster, Les Dennis tells the story of what happened on the night Tommy Cooper died.
On 15th April 1984, Tommy Cooper collapsed from a heart attack whilst appearing live on London Weekend Television variety show Live From Her Majesty's. It was decided to continue with the show, and Dustin Gee and Les Dennis were the act that had to follow Cooper.
You can hear the full podcast at smarturl.it/to...

[@EPSTomcat11]

On the contrary, for a comedian, dying suddenly while doing what they love - making people laugh - is the ultimate way to go.

[@darrenmaclaren5352]

Bob Monkhouse knew Tommy well, and spoke of how he only appreciated people laughing at him when he was performing. He had a temper (haven’t we all) and Bob gave several anecdotes of when Tommy lost his cool at people who impersonated him or laughed at him in bars etc. He talked about this in length during his last performance ‘Bob Monkhouse; the Last Stand’ in which he talks of how Tommy used to lift people up against walls by their throat. A barman once laughed at his husky voice when Tommy ordered a drink, which caused a scene. I am a big fan of Tommy Cooper, and share his birthday (19th March), but always wince when people say that he went the way he wanted. He would have hated being laughed at under those circumstances.

[@TaxingIsThieving]

Sounds like it was a fitting end.

[@melissawright1979]

Apparently, when Dustin and Les were on stage, Tommy's foot was still slightly protruding out from under the curtain. They were literally working on him when Les and Dustin were on stage x

[@KatMusic2009]

That's not true about the foot.

[@colinelderfield6964]

Nobody really knew what was happening. So very sad but he died doing what he loved, making people laugh.

[@davidroyackers1865]

Already at about 0.15 Tommy looks like getting unwell, but recovers.

[@MadCatPerson1977]

If you want to read something uplifting from the story of Tommy Cooper's death, read the WalesOnline story about Joe, the production staff member who gave Cooper CPR, was thanked by LWT and after the event went on to join St Johns Ambulance.

[@Dim4323]

Les dennis should be on life stories

[@MikeSmith10999]

I remember that night. I was watching on my black and white tv from my bed. I was a kid. The girl gave him his cloak and he died. I knew something was wrong. It wasn't the kind of joke Tommy Cooper would do. I kept watching and after the show a news bulletin reported his death.

[@officialsimonharris]

I clearly remember watching it live and was worried as I saw it happen, then saw the rest of the show and then the awful announcement afterwards.

[@TaxingIsThieving]

Last words: "Thanks, love"

[@kevinprior3549]

People at 1st probably thought it was part of the act from Tommy Cooper. People didn't realise he was dying.

[@KatMusic2009]

That's the point. That's what Les just said.

[@twilliamspro]

Is there any video ofbthe routine Death aside the Cloak routine sounds funny

[@KatMusic2009]

He never got to the routine on the show, that's the point. She helped him put on the cloak and he collapsed.....the routine never happened.

[@tomhaskett5161]

I didn't know that Dustin Gee also died on stage.

[@KatMusic2009]

He didn't, he collapsed in the wings.

[@emilywhitfield2780]

I've seen the KZbin video of Tommy's death very sad

[@joestout2959]

I think it's nice that he died doing what he loved. And making people laugh. But yeah, sad for sure.

[@seagypsiesbellydancers3047]

Very sad

[@viniciussouza6316]

he's so good, that was a very funny one

[@cosmicwartoad2587]

He shouldn't have gone on that night.

[@showbizsam4440]

Tommy, then Les & Dustin? That's two acts in a row dying then?

[@TaxingIsThieving]

Les didn't die

[@showbizsam4440]

@@TaxingIsThieving True, but let's not automatically assume death to be a bad thing. Les may have had the comic ability of a child's corpse, but at least Dustin's untimely death and Les' camera-means-tears skills generated more credit than fellow-unfunny-one Ernie Wise. This meant that instead of a tabloid column on dung or biscuits, or something, Les got another 137 episodes of the Laughter Show, and 194 series of Family Fortunes. He finally fulfilled his life's ambition to be in something funny when Bobby Davro fell over and broke his face.

[@hellcat-ch7ns]

Should have not happen on camera, rip tommy

[@KatMusic2009]

It was a live show.

[@hellcat-ch7ns]

@@KatMusic2009 let me put it another way, I wish it wasn't on camera. Is that better?

[@chucknorriss5452]

After watching the video, I said the same thing... HE DIDN'T DIE on stage.. You can tell he didn't. If someone died on stage there would be ZERO movement or the "snoring" which is what happens when someone who is suffering a heart attack or cardiac arrest usually does because their BRAIN hasn't died and shut down the rest of the body.. I can't stand how people say he died on stage.

[@TaxingIsThieving]

2:55 He says he died in hospital but they say he was already dead. Clearly he died when he was being dragged around. Either way the people assuring themselves that he didn't hear the laughter have forgotten that hearing is the last sense to go. 3:50 Does him being sick mean he was still alive? As that's what happens when you die...

[@Fireglo]

Actually fresh corpses can spasm and make noises.

[@fretboardmaster70]

@@Fireglo It’s called the Death Rattle

[@fretboardmaster70]

He died … just like that …