A television version appeared in 1956 under the same name and alternated with the radio version until 1959. The basic situation was similar, but only Sid James transferred from the radio series, although Kenneth Williams made a few guest appearances in early episodes. The final series in 1961 was retitled Hancock because it was shortened to 25 minutes, and did not feature Sid James.
During 1956-1957 Hancock also starred in a sketch show made by Associated-Rediffusion for ITV which, being live, alternated with his BBC appearances.
Radio Series
Most radio episodes were recorded between one day and three weeks in advance, except in the case of Series 6 which was mostly recorded over a three-week period in June, 1959 to avoid clashing with Series 5 of the television show.
Series 1
16 episodes, November 2, 1954 - February 15, 1955
Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Moira Lister, Sid James, Alan Simpson
Episodes 5, 7, 8, 9 and 15 no longer exist
The loss of Episodes 5 and 15 is particularly unfortunate since they feature the only "Hancock" guest appearances by Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers respectively
Series 2
12 episodes, April 17 - July 2, 1955
Shortly before the series was due to be recorded Hancock walked out on a theatre performance suffering from "nervous exhaustion" and flew to Rome. Harry Secombe was brought in at short notice to replace Hancock and appeared in the first four episodes. Hancock himself returned for the fourth episode and completed the series as scheduled.
Regular cast: Harry Secombe (Episodes 1 - 4), Tony Hancock (Episodes 4 - 12), Bill Kerr, Sid James, Andrée Melly, Kenneth Williams, Alan Simpson
Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12 (more than half the series, including all of Harry Secombe's guest appearances) no longer exist
Series 3
20 episodes, October 10, 1955 - February 29, 1956
Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Andrée Melly, Alan Simpson
Episodes 4 through 12, 15 and 16 - again, more than half the series - no longer exist.
Series 4
20 episodes, October 14, 1956 - February 24, 1957
Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques (debut in Episode 5)
Episodes 3, 5 and 9 no longer exist
Series 5
20 episodes, January 1 - June 3, 1958
Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques
All episodes still exist
Christmas Special
"Bill and Father Christmas"
Cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Hattie Jacques, Warren Mitchell
This episode still exists
Special remake series for BBC Transcription Services
4 episodes, recorded November 23 - November 30, 1958
These episodes are remakes for overseas sales, rewritten to remove any topical or UK-specific references
All episodes still exist
Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Hattie Jacques
Series 6
14 episodes, September 29 - December 29, 1959
Regular cast: Tony Hancock, Bill Kerr, Sid James
All episodes still exist
Television Series
Series 1
6 episodes, broadcast live, every 2 weeks, July 7 - September 14 1956
No recordings exist
Series 2
6 episodes, broadcast live, every 2 weeks, April 1 - June 10 1957
Episode 1 exists on a kinescope
Series 3
11 regular episodes plus Christmas special, "Hancock's 43 Minutes", broadcast live, September 9 - December 23, 1957
Episodes 5, 9, 10, 11 and "Hancock's 43 Minutes" exist on kinescopes
Series 4
13 episodes; episodes 1 - 4 pre-recorded on kinescopes, 5 - 13 live, broadcast December 26, 1958 - March 27, 1959 (skipping February 27)
Episodes 1, 3, 4, 11 and 12 exist on kinescopes
Series 5
10 episodes, pre-recorded on videotape, broadcast September 25 - November 27, 1959
The entire series exists on kinescopes
Series 6
10 episodes, pre-recorded on videotape, broadcast February 19 - May 6, 1960
The entire series exists on kinescopes
Series 7
Shortened to 25 minutes per episode and retitled "Hancock"
6 episodes, pre-recorded on videotape, broadcast May 26 - June 30, 1961
The entire series exists on kinescopes
Chronological listing of Hancock's radio and television broadcasts, 1954 - 1961
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 1: November 2, 1954 - February 15, 1955
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 2: April 17 - July 2, 1955
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 3: October 10, 1955 - February 29, 1956
The Tony Hancock Show, Series 1 (Associated-Rediffusion for ITV): April 4 - June 1, 1956
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 1: July 7 - September 14 1956
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 4: October 14, 1956 - February 24, 1957
The Tony Hancock Show, Series 2: November 16, 1956- January 25, 1957
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 2: April 1 - June 10 1957
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 3: September 9 - December 23, 1957
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 5: January 1 - June 3, 1958
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 4: December 26, 1958 - March 27, 1959
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 5: September 25 - November 27, 1959
Hancock's Half Hour, radio Series 6: September 29 - December 29, 1959
Hancock's Half Hour, television Series 6: February 19 - May 6, 1960
Hancock, television Series 7: May 26 - June 30, 1961
Information on series dates taken from the book Tony Hancock: Artiste (1978) by Roger Wilmut. Information on wiped radio episodes taken from the CD box sets (BBC Worldwide, 2000 - 2003)
Much more detail on classic episodes to come