Today in History - April 15: Audience thought comedian's fatal heart attack was part of the act on live TV
Popular Welsh comedian Tommy Cooper suffered a fatal heart attack on stage during a live television broadcast on April 15, 1984.
Cooper, best known for performing magic acts with his distinctive red fez, was appearing on the variety show Live from Her Majesty's.
He was performing directly in front of a curtain in a long gown for one of his standard tricks.
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Tommy Cooper died on stage to the sound of audience laughter. ITV
In the stunt, he would pull items from his gown, which the audience would be well aware were just being passed from behind the curtain.
But Cooper suddenly tottered and fell backwards into the curtain, prompting a roar of laughs from the live audience.
The crowd thought his fall was part of the act. But Cooper had just suffered an immense heart attack.
As the laughter faded, the television producers called for an unscripted commercial break.
After failing to pull Cooper all the way behind the curtains, two stools were brought out to obscure his body from the broadcast.
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Tommy Cooper was known for his comedic magic act. Nine Archives
The next performers then used the limited space at the front of the stage to continue the show as people backstage tried to revive him.
As another performer sang, Cooper was shifted back and onto an ambulance, the movement of the curtains clearly visible.
Cooper was declared dead on arrival at hospital. He was 63.
His death would be publicly confirmed the next day.
While he was one of the most popular comics in the UK, Cooper's career suffered as a result of his heavy drinking.
In one appearance on TV in 1979, he almost killed TV host Michael Parkinson with a trick guillotine.
Cooper had neglected to activate the safety switch which would stop the blade as it fell.
It was only the alertness of a stagehand that stopped Parkinson from being killed in front of a studio audience.
Cooper's death was reminiscent of another comedian's public death.
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Harry Einstein died at a comedy event honouring Lucille Ball. Supplied
Harry Einstein suffered a fatal heart attack on stage in 1958, moments after an uproarious reception for his routine.
Einstein was performing at a comedy roast for Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnaz.
After he finished his routine, he took a seat on stage, then slumped over and died.
Five doctors began frantically working on Einstein backstage.
One cut his chest open with a pen knife to massage his heart. Another made a makeshift defibrillator with an electrical cord.
But the show continued on as doctors tried in vain to save Einstein's life.
Singer Tony Martin was asked to sing for the audience.
He made the unfortunate choice of his hit "There's No Tomorrow".
Eventually hosts Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnaz tearfully put an end to the proceedings, as Einstein was pronounced dead.
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