Eric Morecambe
John Eric Bartholomew OBE (14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984), known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death in 1984. Morecambe took his stage name from his home town, the seaside resort of Morecambe in Lancashire.
Eric Morecambe
28 May 1984 (aged 58)
- Comedian
- actor
- entertainer
- singer
- author
1941–1984
3 (1 adopted)
Jack Bartholomew (uncle)
He was the co-star of the BBC1's television series The Morecambe & Wise Show, which for the 1977 Christmas episode gained UK viewing figures of over 28 million people. One of the most prominent comedians in British popular culture, in 2002 he was named one of the 100 Greatest Britons in a BBC poll.[1]
Personal life[edit]
Eric Morecambe married Joan Bartlett in Margate Thanet, Kent on Thursday, 11 December 1952. They held their wedding reception at the Bulls Head pub in Margate.They had three children: Gail (born 1953); Gary (born 1956) and Steven (who was born in 1970, and whom they adopted in 1974). Joan Bartlett Morecambe died on her 97th birthday on 26 March 2024.
In his leisure time, Eric was a keen birdwatcher, and the statue of him at Morecambe shows him wearing his binoculars. The RSPB named a hide after him at the nearby Leighton Moss nature reserve in recognition of his support. In 1984 the RSPB bought the 459 hectares (1,130 acres) Old Hall Marshes Reserve near Tolleshunt D'Arcy in Essex for £780,000 helped by donations to the Eric Morecambe Memorial Appeal.[11]
Morecambe was the nephew of the rugby league footballer John "Jack" Bartholomew.[12]
Morecambe sent a message of support (along with various celebrities) to Margaret Thatcher after she won the 1979 general election, wishing her luck during the 1979 European election campaign.[13] His message ended, "God bless you, Maggie, and good luck in the European Campaign and it is your round next."[14]
Death[edit]
Morecambe took part in a charity show, hosted by close friend and comedian Stan Stennett, at the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on Sunday 27 May 1984. His wife Joan, who was in the audience, recalled that Morecambe was "on top form".[20]
After the show had ended and Morecambe had first left the stage, the musicians returned and picked up their instruments. He rushed back onto the stage to join them and played various instruments making six curtain calls. On leaving the stage for the final time as the house tabs fell, he stepped into the wings and collapsed with his third heart attack in 16 years. He was rushed to Cheltenham General Hospital, where he died just before 3 a.m on Monday 28 May.[21]
His funeral was held on 4 June at St Nicholas Church, Harpenden with the principal address delivered by Dickie Henderson. There was a private cremation service at Garston. His ashes were later returned to the church for burial in the Garden of Remembrance.
Ernie Wise said in an interview, "I think I had two sad days, I think – when my father died and, actually, when Eric died."[22]