FANS of legendary comedian Tony Hancock gathered to celebrate his life and work in Bournemouth on the day he would have turned 100. 

The event at the Queens Hotel on May 12 was organised by the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society (THAS) and a number of special guests attended. 

Hancock - ‘The lad himself’ - grew up in Bournemouth where his dad John, a comic and entertainer, ran the Railway Hotel in Holdenhurst Road. 

His father then bought the Durlston Court Hotel in Gervis Road not long before he died in 1934, and the young Hancock lived there with his mother and stepfather. 

Special guests included representatives from the families of Hancock and his writers, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, as well as people from the BBC and the world of radio and TV. 

Tim Elms from THAS said: “Tony and his family moved to Bournemouth when he was three and went to school in the Isle of Purbeck. 

“He met and watched many entertainers and comedians who worked in the local hotels and theatres so Bournemouth really helped mould him. 

“His popularity remains and our membership is booming and his 100th birthday was something we felt we had to mark. 

“The BBC is also marking his centenary year with programmes on the radio and hopefully a new generation of fans will be created.”