FILM star Sylvia Syms was among the guests remembering the genius of Tony Hancock at a reunion in the town where he grew up.

Steve Delaney, creator of Count Arthur Strong on TV and radio, was also among those joining members of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society in Bournemouth.

Society president Andrew Clayden said around 60 members had come to Bournemouth for the event.

Hancock, the biggest comic actor of his generation on TV and radio, lived in Bournemouth from the age of three and first took to the stage at the hall of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Richmond Hill.

Sylvia Syms – best known for classic films such as Woman in a Dressing Gown, Ice Cold in Alex and Victim – spoke about appearing with Hancock in his 1963 film The Punch and Judy Man, which also featured her nephew, Nick Webb.

Andrew Clayden, president of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, told the Daily Echo: “She said it was very enjoyable. He was always punctual, he was on his best behaviour, very involved in it. She didn’t see any of the darker side of Hancock.”

Steve Delaney chatted with guests at the Queen’s Hotel before disappearing and returning as the bumbling Count Arthur Strong – a favourite of Hancock writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Mr Clayden said the comedian had enjoyed his visit. “Part of my duty is to officially write and thank people, but before I even had a chance to write, he sent an email saying ‘We had a brilliant time and we might come next year as ‘ordinary punters’,” he said.

Another honoured guest was Colin Burnett-Dick, who paid nearly £40,000 to buy the ventriloquist dummy Archie Andrews – whose radio show Educating Archie featured a young Hancock.

He chose the occasion to unveil the new voice of Archie, Donna-Marie Walton, a rising ventriloquist taking over the role which was filled in Hancock’s day by Peter Brough.

Mr Clayden said Hancock was still attracting fans who were not even born when the comedian took his own life in 1968. “You expect someone my age or older to be fans, but we’ve got teenagers,” he said.

“I suppose it’s down to their mums and dads and perhaps grandparents that they became fans.

“There’s a bit of Hancock in David Brent from The Office, Victor Meldrew – you can trace them all to Hancock.”

Anyone interested in joining the society can email andrew@acprinting.co.uk or visit tonyhancock.org.uk