The real T.J. Hooker

It turns out there was more than one heroic T.J. Hooker!

According to the Los Angeles Times, Tom Hooker worked as a security guard when the programme first aired in 1982, and proudly boasted that the TV character was based on him, even though creator Rick Husky was quick to deny the claim.

Tom had earned a Medal of Valour for boldly saving residents from a fierce inferno, though sadly died in a separate fire by his third wife, who allegedly murdered her husband to collect insurance money.