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Anthony Hopkins unveils Tommy Cooper statue in Caerphilly

23/02/2008

A life-size Tommy Cooper statue has been unveiled in his home-town of Caerphilly, south Wales, by Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Silence of the Lambs star Hopkins unveiled the nine-feet high bronzed statue this afternoon at a site overlooking Caerphilly's 13th century castle.

The statue is the result of five-years fundraising by the Tommy Cooper Society, which raised £45,000 to pay for it.

Sir Anthony, patron of the society, said: "I am delighted to be unveiling a statue which will commemorate not just one of my heroes, but one of the greatest comics of all time."

Tudor Jones, secretary of the Tommy Cooper Society, added: "Tommy was always larger than life so it is fitting that his statue will stand proud in the centre of the town where he was born. This will be a long awaited tribute to Tommy from his home town of Caerphilly."

Comic Tommy Cooper, born in 1921 in Caerphilly, was famous for his red fez and catchphrase, "Just like that!"

Cooper died in 1984 while on stage during the ITV variety show Live From Her Majesty's.

The society, based in Caerphilly was formed in 2003 with the aim of erecting a statue of the comic and establishing a Tommy Cooper Youth Musical Theatre Group for the encouragement of young people in the performing arts.