Monday, November 18, 2024

Morecambe and Wise: The letter that could have ended one of Britain’s best-loved double acts

Must read

A letter in which Ernie Wise attempted to break up the double act that would go on to bring both him and Eric Morecambe worldwide fame is going on sale.

It’s part of a large archive of items belonging to Morecambe which are being sold at auction following the death in March this year of his widow, Joan, aged 97.

Morecambe died of a heart attack aged 58 in 1984. Wise died 15 years later in 1999, aged 73.

Image:
Photos belonging to Morecambe. Pic: Jacob King/PA

The letter, written by Wise in 1950, starts with him politely thanking Morecambe for his own letter, before writing: “Well Eric I want to get straight to the point, I want us to break up the act. I’m afraid it won’t work.”

Wise says he feels a “terrific amount” of animosity at home, and for that reason it would be better if the double act parted ways.

“I know this will be quite a shock to you but I had to come to some decision. I can’t go on as things are, I’m not satisfied with my work, I have lost a lot of zip and it will take time to regain it. I can’t keep you waiting around for me, I don’t know definitely when I will be out.

“I feel it’s a great pity after we had planned so much, but my mind’s made up.”

‘Poignant message’

Hansons’ sale manager Victoria Sheppard described the letter as “a poignant message” showing “how close the pair came to splitting up”.

She went on: “Ernie explained that, with a very heavy heart, he wanted to break up the duo before they continued and became massive. He signed it ‘your best pal’. Thankfully that never happened.”

A letter to Eric Morecambe from his comedy partner Ernie Wise detailing his desire to 'break up' the act on display ahead of the auction of British comedy legend Eric Morecambe's lifetime of showbiz memorabilia and personal treasures. Picture date: Monday November 4, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SALE Morecambe. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
Image:
The letter that Wise wrote to Morecambe. Pic: Jacob King/PA

Of course, Morecambe and Wise stayed together. After first performing together on stage as teenagers, they got their own radio series in 1953, followed by a TV series the following year.

They would go on to become one of Britain’s biggest double acts, pulling in over 28 million viewers for their 1977 Christmas special.

Read more entertainment and arts news:
Davina McCall makes ‘enormous leap forward’ after brain tumour surgery
Ed Sheeran says he didn’t give Band Aid 40 permission to use his vocals

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

The letter forms part of a collection being sold by Morecambe’s three children, Gail, Gary and Steven, collected from his former home, Brachefield in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

Gary, 58, an author from London, said: “Our mother barely touched anything in the house after our father’s death. Hence, we have had everything quite literally under the same roof for 56 years.”

Other items being sold include Morecambe’s famous glasses, the piano he practised on to deliver a Morecambe and Wise Christmas special sketch with conductor Andre Previn and telegrams from the late Prince Philip and letters from Margaret Thatcher and fellow comics Ronnie Barker and Tommy Cooper.

The Eric Morecambe Collection – which is being sold as 700 separate lots – will go on sale at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 January 2025.

Latest article