Eric Morecambe Centenary

Feature from 2026

14th May 2026 marks what would have been Eric Morecambe`s 100 birthday. His legacy continues to endear, and his comedy, along with Ernie Wise, continues to make us smile.

To celebrate this milestone, his home town of Morecambe, from which he took his stage name, celebrated along with other areas and media outlets, in a variety of different ways.

I was asked to do a talk about the lives of Eric and Ern, but sadly, due to a pre-booked holiday (before I knew about the event), I could not take part. Other though, up and down the country, celebrated.

The event weekend at the Lancashire seaside town ran from 15th to the 19th May, with Gail and Gary, Eric`s Daughter and Sun, taking a part in some activities.

I am thrilled to be here, Gary told us, marking this momentous occasion, with so many people doing so many things to celebrate my father`s legacy.

Throughout the weekend the Morecambe Heritage Centre were displaying a collection of letters, post cards, scripts and other personal items of Eric`s.

Events on the 15th included a fun run, with over 800 students from Morecambe Bay Academy, most wearing Eric`s trademark glasses, taking part. The run, beginning at the Eric statue, was started by Gail and Gary.

A new mural was unveiled on Marine Road later, depicting a page from the Radio Times from 1954, covering Eric and Ern`s very first TV show, Running Wild. The show itself did not fair well, but Eric and Ern were determined to carry on.

There were several screenings of Morecambe and Wise films across the weekend. The Intelligence Men was shown outside at The Jubilee Club and later, That Riviera Touch was shown in the Winter Gardens. This great theatre also showed various clips from the TV shows across 16th and 17th.

An event also at the Winter Gardens exploring the life and legacy of Eric and Ernie Wise, hosted by Martin Clarkson, Executive Producer of West End show Eric and Ern, with performances of the show by Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel being on 16th and 17th as well.

Morecambe Library also has fun events including a challenge to find all the photos and unscramble the secret word and collect a small prize, plus Birds Wot Eric Saw. This took Eric`s love of birds and invited people to create their own bird to be added to an art project.

Earlier on the 12th May, the Platform hosted We Luv 70s Morecambe and Wise Special. DJ Steve Middlesbrough took the audience on a musical journey back to the 1970s and the height of Morecambe and Wise`s fame, featuring hilarious songs from their iconic sketches.

Also at the Platform on the 14th there was an Eric Morecambe 100th birthday singalong. This paid tribute to Morecambe and Wise`s songs such as Following You Around and Positive Thinking. Entertainment at the platform continued with a performance by the Morecambe Brass Band, playing some classic Eric and Ern music from sketches like singing in the Rain and The Stripper.

More fun on 14th with over 100 `Erics` skipping along the beach for a photography project.

On 15th a special portrait of Eric by artist Dave Miles, was unveiled at Eric`s old school, Lancaster Road.

Not officially part of the weekend celebration but still in tribute, the Royal Mail issues a special set of Morecambe and Wise stamps. The 10 stamps show various images from across Eric and Erns career.

The whole thing has been tremendous, Gary said, so many memories. It is hard to think that my father would be 100 years old and still have the amount of love being showed towards him and Ernie.

© morecambeandwise.com 2026