A 9ft bronze statue of the comic legend was unveiled in his birthplace – and making sure the ceremony went like magic was Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, a self-confessed “Cooperholic”.

He had flown from his California home to delight the 2,000 fans who turned out in Caerphilly, South Wales yesterday with a set of Tommy’s routines – complete with the trademark red fez.

“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,” he said.

The Tommy Cooper Society had asked Sir Anthony to send a message, but he insisted on coming in person.

The society’s secretary Tudor Jones said: “When he phoned me from Malibu, to say he was coming he started to chuckle and reeled off about four or five of his favourite Tommy jokes.

“Sir Anthony knew all the gags.  It was a great impression – spot on.”