This week marks what would have been the 100th birthday of comedy icon Eric Morecambe. While his double act with Ernie Wise kicked off in the 1940s, it was the swinging sixties that catapulted them to stardom through their legendary Morecambe and Wise Show on the BBC.
Heartfelt Tribute from Son Gary
Gary Morecambe paid tribute to his late father on his 100th birthday, speaking to BBC Breakfast from the Lancashire coastal town of Morecambe, where the star spent his formative years. He described the occasion as "hugely special" and said his father would have been "thrilled" and "somewhat bemused" by the celebrations.
Gary revealed that despite his father's busy work schedule, he always made time to return to Morecambe to visit family. "He had relations here, obviously, his parents. We used to come up as kids. The first time I ever did the Eric Morecambe tour, which still exists, was with Eric Morecambe! So that's a bit of a weird one," he chuckled.
Fond Memories of a Comedy Legend
Reminiscing about his late father, Gary recalled how Eric would wind down his car windows and playfully wave his iconic glasses at passers-by. "He enjoyed that! He always knew where his roots were, and these were his people. He always felt very comfortable coming back, playing around a bit and walking up and down the streets."
Gary also shared that his father would laugh uncontrollably at his own Christmas specials. "We couldn't stop him laughing at his own show! It's extraordinary, my brother used to say, 'What are you laughing for, you know what's coming?' Which I thought was great, but they were great memories. Big family Christmases and the show as well, that was all wonderful."
Lost Episode to Air on BBC
To commemorate the centenary, special celebrations are taking place in Morecambe. This Friday night, the BBC will broadcast a long-lost instalment of The Morecambe and Wise Show, unseen for decades and thought to be gone forever. The episode was unearthed by a charity called Film Is Fabulous!
The recovered episode marks the third from Morecambe and Wise's debut series and includes sketches penned by Sid Green and Dick Hills, with Ann Hamilton taking on the role of Pauline in a scene set at a nudist colony.
Eric Morecambe graced screens for more than 40 years before his untimely passing in 1984. He collapsed from a heart attack aged just 58, moments after wrapping up a charity performance. His legacy continues to entertain and inspire generations.
