Written by Men Behaving Badly creator Simon Nye, the two-hour film will star David Threlfall (Shameless) as the iconic comedian with Amanda Redman (New Tricks) as his wife Dove.

Nye’s script focuses on the dilemma the much-loved comedian faced when he fell in love with assistant Mary Kay and embarked upon a relationship that would last 17 years.

The official synopsis reads: “Tommy was married to Gwen, whom he adored and affectionately nicknamed Dove. Tommy was unable to choose between Dove and Mary, and his untimely death live on air in 1984 meant that he never did.

“When Tommy’s extensive touring started to affect their home life, Dove decided she couldn’t go on the road with him any longer. Whilst Tommy travelled the length and breadth of the country with his own brand of visual humour and ingenious magic tricks she knew she had to remain at home to run the house.

“The late nights and post-show drinks were taking their toll on his health, and Dove tried to convince him that TV work was enough. But touring was where Tommy’s heart lay: “A miner goes down a mine, a stand up comedian stands on a stage and looks the audience in the eye.”

“But Tommy found he couldn’t tour alone and asked stage manager Mary Kay if she would join him. Mary was gentle, diligent and good at her job. She would arrange his props and tricks, flash a warm smile and reassure an often-tense Tommy before he took to the stage.  He needed someone to bolster his confidence and it was Mary’s loving support that made the difference to his performances. The pair fell in love, and just like that, Tommy became torn between two equally devoted women.”

ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning Steve November commented: “Tommy Cooper was an ITV legend and so it feels very fitting to be telling his story on ITV.”

Executive producer Andy Harries added: “Few comics have had such a lasting influence on UK culture as Tommy Cooper. The man was a comedy giant who spent his final years juggling his hugely successful public persona with a private passion for two women. Just like that.”

Filming will begin in London next month.

> Buy the complete Shameless Series 1- 8 boxset on Amazon.

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