Rare archive to be aired

Previously unseen footage of Eric Morecambe – including the father of the bride speech he gave  at his daughter's wedding – is to be aired on Channel 4 this Christmas.

Producers of The Unseen Eric Morecambe were given access to the comedian’s home movie footage to create the 90-minute documentary.

The show marks the first time Morecambe’s study at his home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, has been touched in the 20 years since his death at the age of 58.

Personal memorabilia including his ventriloquist's doll, scripts, props, photographs and early versions of sketches recorded on Doctaphone will be featured in the programme, alongside interviews with those who knew him.

A Channel 4 spokesman said the show was “a revealing portrait of a very funny man”.

The station will be hoping the comic’s inclusion in the Christmas schedule will have some of the ratings magic of the Morecambe and Wise specials that were such an unmissable part of the festive season during their heyday.

Channel 4’s Christmas schedule also includes the new drama about the turbulent relationship between Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, called Not Only But Also.

Jimmy Carr, who’s fast becoming the face of Channel 4, will also be hosting a celebrity Quiz of the Year.

Published: 8 Nov 2004