Just like that! Up for grabs are two fez hats once brought by Tommy Cooper to Grimsby kiddies' party

 

One of the two fez hats that will go under the hammer

MANY remember the Peter Dixon paper mill in Grimsby's West Marsh, but how many can recall one of its children's parties in the 1950s when  Tommy Cooper was the star attraction?

One of the youngsters who attended was a member of the Dixon family who was gifted two of his famous fez hats by the lumbering 6ft 4in Welsh conjuror-comedian whose catchphrase was "Just like that!"

One of the hats was worn by the star during the show the other was from his stock of new replacement hats.

 

Now they are both included in a sale to be held by auctioneers John Taylors  at their saleroom in Louth next week.

At the peak of his career, Cooper had his own shows on TV, but, in his 60s,  his heavy drinking and smoking had begun to take a serious toll on his health.

He died, aged 63, after suffering a heart attack while performing during a live TV broadcast - many of the  audience in London's Her Majesty's Theatre mistakenly thinking it was part of his act.

Ironically, Tuesday's auction takes place on April 15, 1984 - exactly 41 years after the tragedy.

The two hats are expected to fetch between £200 and £400.

                                                

Tommy Cooper - only 63 when he collapsed and died on stage