Watch the 45-year-old skit

A Morecambe and Wise sketch – unseen in 45 years – has been unearthed by a new documentary.

The Changing of the Guard originally aired in June 1967, which would have made it part of their sixth series with ATV, just before they returned to the BBC and started working in colour.

In it, Eric Morecambe plays a Queen's Guardsman obeying unintelligible orders barked by Ernie Wise. Both of them, and the other two actors in the scene, struggle to keep a straight face.

The sketch was uncovered by the makers of Bring Me Morecambe and Wise, a five-part tribute to the duo that starts tonight on Gold.

However footage from the ATV series is not especially rare, as Network DVD have released the first 1962 series in full, with the second to be released in the new year.

Here is the scene:

Published: 21 Nov 2012