Latest news with #EricMorecambe
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Eric Morcambe: Display gives 'glimpse behind the glasses' of comedian
An exhibition of letters that "give a glimpse behind the glasses" of comedian Eric Morecambe has gone on display in his home Library is showcasing the letters, bought by Manchester historian David Harrop earlier this the correspondence are letters between Morecambe, who died in 1984, and the football pundit Jimmy Hill, actor Sir John Mills and comedy writer Barry whose real name was Eric Bartholomew, was one half of the legendary comic double act Morecambe & Wise with his partner Ernie Wise. A record 28m viewers watched their 1977 Christmas show on BBC Till, library manager, told BBC Radio Lancashire: "There is absolutely all sorts here – they give a glimpse behind the glasses."The exhibits include an invite from Cryer to attend a comedy auction and another from actor Sir John Mills inviting him to join a select private members' of the letters is from Morecambe's mother Sadie congratulating his fiancé and later wife Joan on their engagement."He was a legend everybody loved him," said Mr Till."In Morecambe today no matter how old you are everyone's heard of Eric – even the school children who come to visit the library," he added. Mr Harrop, who runs the Manchester Postal Museum which is based in Southern Cemetery in Chorlton, said he was pleased to loan the letters to the library."When they came up for auction it was a chance too good to miss," he exhibition, which includes other memorabilia, ends in September. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Last Laugh play about comedy legends coming to Glasgow
The Last Laugh, written and directed by Paul Hendy, will be performed at the Theatre Royal from July 15 to 19. This follows a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The play re-imagines the lives of comedy legends Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse. It is filled with jokes and stories, and is said to be "nostalgic" and "poignant". The lead actors will be reprising their roles from the Edinburgh run. Bob Golding will play Eric Morecambe, a role he previously played in the West End hit Morecambe at the Duchess Theatre. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance. Damian Williams will take on the role of Tommy Cooper, having previously played the comedian in the tour of Being Tommy Cooper. Simon Cartwright has been an actor and impressionist since the 1980s and has appeared on the award-winning Channel 4 show Toast of London. Jamie Wilson, the producer, said: "The team here at JWP were bowled over by the relevance of their timeless comedy and after seeing it myself in Edinburgh, I just knew it had to have a further life so many more people could experience it. "What is so brilliant about this play is the audiences who love and remember Eric, Tommy and Bob will be able to relive their comedy greatness and those that don't, will be introduced to the genius of these national treasures. "I'm so pleased these icons will be back on the London stage for audiences to enjoy." The Last Laugh's set design is by Lee Newby, music and soundscape design by Ethan Lewis Maltby, sound design by Callum Wills, costume design by Amy Chamberlain and casting by Kate Roddy.
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Really lucky' museum puts Eric Morecambe items on show
Eric Morecambe's school reports and licence to perform as a child entertainer have gone on display after a "really, really lucky" museum secured them at auction.A lifetime of showbiz memorabilia and personal items was put up for sale after the comic's widow Joan died in March star Robbie Williams bought Morecambe's trademark glasses and TV presenter Yvette Fielding got his desk and typewriter, but Lancaster City Museums also manged to secure some items with its £2,000 City Councillor Nick Wilkinson said the fund came from generous donations from locals and the council was proud to lay on a space where people could connect with "the man behind the laughter". A council representative said the successful bids meant it now owned two of Morecambe's school reports from 1936 and had also secured Morecambe's licence to perform as a child entertainer - issued by the Morecambe and Heysham Local Education Authority in 1939 - and "a whole pile of handwritten sketches and jokes, which include the opening sketch for Morecambe and Wise season six in 1971".Museums manager Mel Cookson-Carter said they had been "really, really lucky and we are so happy with what we managed to get hold of".She said it was "fantastic" to have items from Morecambe's school days and "some incredible sketches from the peak of Morecambe and Wise from the 70s"."The two school reports are so funny," she said."In 1936, he's been absent 20 times, he's missed most of his exams and he only scored 55 out of 240."His mum wrote on the back, 'I am disgusted with this report and would be obliged if you would make him do more homework as I would see he did it here'." Morecambe was born John Eric Bartholomew in 1926 in the Lancashire resort he took as his stage Cookson-Carter said his mother, Sadie Bartholomew, was "the real driving force" in his childhood and early career and may have been instrumental in improving his grades."You see from his 1939 school report that he was only absent twice [and] he's done really well in his exams," she said."I'm wondering if his mum had a bit of a talking to him and said 'there's no way you're going into entertainment unless you do a bit better at school'." 'Very strict' She said the licence also offered a glimpse into the past."It is very strict," she said."He can't do any work after 10 o'clock, he can't do any work on school days, he has to leave whichever theatre he's working in 15 minutes after his act finishes."The comedian died of a heart attack aged 58 in 1984 and is celebrated by a statue in his former council said the licence and one of the school reports were now on display at the Lancaster Maritime Museum and it was hoped the remaining items would be exhibited in the said the council was "delighted to welcome Eric Morecambe's treasured objects back to his hometown, where they will take pride of place in our museum"."These items, deeply rooted in his legacy, offer a unique glimpse into the life of a comedy legend who brought joy to millions and we are proud to provide a space where visitors can connect with the man behind the laughter," he added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Sky News
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Robbie Williams explains why he paid £20k for Eric Morecambe's glasses
Robbie Williams has said he bought Eric Morecambe's glasses and pipe because he has always seen the comedian as an "uncle of sorts". The singer said he cried "happy, childlike tears" after submitting the top bid last month with a final offer of £20,000. This far exceeded the £2,000 to £4,000 estimate. In an Instagram post featuring photos of Williams using the glasses and pipe, he said he treated himself to the items ahead of his 51st birthday. The Angels singer recalled appointing Mike, a member of his team who handles his digital presence, to be "chief bidder" as he was in Los Angeles about to board a plane as the auction got under way. "As it happens, I got to watch the lot being auctioned live. My iPhone and Mike's iPhone acting like walkie-talkies," he wrote. "'What should I do Ayd's?' I nervously kept asking my wife. 'Keep bidding' Ayda says with the steely determination of someone bursting through an electronics store door on Black Friday. "'Keep going Mike' I say. This vignette of conversation would repeat itself several times over the next 10 minutes." Once he won the bidding war, Williams said he cried "happy, childlike tears". "You see, I guess we all need friends-we-never-meet from off the telly. Eric has always been mine. An uncle of sorts," he wrote. "To the very core of me, Eric Morecambe's spirit has been salve for my soul. How Eric made me feel is how I want to make people feel. "What a gift to be able to create such joy and have that joy be present just by thinking of them." The imitation tortoiseshell glasses by Metzler, said to be synonymous with Morecambe's sharp wit and comedic persona, were sold alongside his Barling briar pipe and two black-and-white photographs of him with the spectacles. Hanson Auctioneers offered Morecambe's belongings in 700 lots on January 10 and 11, more than 40 years after the comic died of a heart attack aged 58 in 1984.
