Bring me sunshine - statue of Morecambe and Wise to be unveiled in Blackpool

Morecambe and Wise will be celebrated with the unveiling of the first statue of both members of the comedy double act.

Eric Morecambe's widow Joan and son Gary viewing Graham Ibbeson's statue of comedy double act Morecambe and Wise which was commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of them first appearing on stage together in 1941 (Rhodes Media) — Eric Morecambe’s widow Joan and son Gary viewing Graham Ibbeson’s statue of comedy double act Morecambe and Wise which was commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of them first appearing on stage together in 1941 (Rhodes Media)

Sculpted by Graham Ibbeson, it will take up residence in the domed entrance of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens – dubbed their “spiritual home” by those closest to them.

They performed more than 1,000 times in the seaside town during their career, and Morecambe’s widow Joan said the unveiling is a day she and Doreen, Wise’s widow, “never expected to happen”.

“It was so exciting when the statue of Eric was unveiled in his home town of Morecambe in 1999 and I know Doreen was equally delighted when the statue of Ernie was unveiled in Morley, West Yorkshire, in 2010,” she said.

Comedy duo Eric Morecambe, right, and Ernie Wise with mistletoe at Thames Television's Teddington studios in London. (PA Archive) — Comedy duo Eric Morecambe, right, and Ernie Wise with mistletoe at Thames Television’s Teddington studios in London. (PA Archive)

“We never dreamt of seeing a statue unveiled to both Eric and Ernie in Blackpool, a town that we have so many happy memories of from all the many shows the boys performed there over the years.

“It will be a day that will live with us forever.”

The sculpture will be unveiled on October 14 by Mrs Morecambe, their eldest son Gary and daughter Gail, and a representative from Wise’s family.

The eight foot tall bronzed statue of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise was commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of them first appearing on stage together in 1941.

Ibbeson, who also previously created the statue of Morecambe in his home town, said he is “delighted to have brought the boys back together so the nation can see them as they should be”.

Legendary comedy double act Eric Morecambe (left) and Ernie Wise receiving their OBE s from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. (PA Archive)

He said: “Morecambe and Wise are the greatest double act to have ever graced British TV screens and both Eric and Ernie’s families agree their spiritual home is Blackpool.

“Eric and Ernie’s families have been involved right through the process and they love the statue which means an awful lot.

“I feel sure it will become a hugely popular and much-loved attraction in Blackpool for generations to come.”

The new statue, which cost £75,000 and was funded through donations, has been gifted to the coastal entertainment complex.

Managing director of the historic site, Michael Williams, said Winter Gardens was a “fitting location” for the “long overdue tribute to these two comedy greats”.

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