By Shameless star David Threlfall will play Tommy Cooper in a single ITV drama based on the comedian's life.
The two-hour film is a Left Bank Pictures production written by Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) and will also star Amanda Redman as Cooper's wife Dove.
Left Bank Pictures' Andy Harries said: "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."
ITV's director of drama commissioning Steve November added: "Tommy Cooper was an ITV legend and so it feels very fitting to be telling his story on ITV.
"Left Bank have brought together wonderful talent in Simon Nye, David Threlfall and Amanda Redman to tell the story."
The film will focus on Cooper's 17-year affair with his assistant Mary Kay as he stayed on the road while his wife Gwen, nicknamed Dove, looked after their children.
The film will also explore Cooper's working relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie up to the comedian's death on TV, during Live From Her Majesty's on April 15, 1984.
Filming begins in London this June with producer, magician and Always Leave Them Laughing Cooper biographer John Fisher acting as consultant.
Lucy Dyke will produce and the film is directed by Benjamin Caron.
