Fundraising campaign launched

A statue of Morecambe & Wise is to be unveiled in  Blackpool this autumn as part of the celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of their theatrical debut.

The   8ft sculpture is currently being created by Graham Ibbeson who created the solo statue of Eric Morecambe, which stands in the Lancashire resort that gave the comic his surname.

He said: 'I am extremely honoured to be asked to sculpt a lasting memorial of Eric & Ernie and it makes it even more special that I have the blessing and support of both families.

'I have created over 35 public sculptures in major locations throughout the UK but to reunite Eric and Ernie in their spiritual home of Blackpool will be the highlight of my career.'

Ibbeson's other work includes a sculpture of Laurel and Hardy in Stan's home town of Ulverston,  a Les Dawson statue in Lytham St Anne's and a statue of Benny Hill in Southampton.

A local committee is raising the £75,000 needed to create the bronze infused resin statue, which will stand in the Winter Gardens and based on the picture of them embracing, above.

Eric Morecambe's daughter Gail said: 'Dad and Ernie would be very honoured and excited to know that the statue celebrating their 75th anniversary as a double act, is to be sited in the foyer of the magnificent Blackpool Winter Gardens. This is where they appeared in the 1955 Royal Variety Show. I was two years old!

'They went on to appear in many more summer seasons in Blackpool. We would live as a family for several weeks each year on the Flyde Coast. We witnessed first hand the very special relationship Morecambe and Wise developed with both the residents and holiday makers that flocked to Blackpool every year.

'It is fair to say that Dad and Ernie considered Blackpool to be a professional feather in their caps and their spiritual home, having great affection for both place and people.'

Morecambe and Wise's partnership began in 1941 when they were each booked separately to appear in Jack Hylton's revue, Youth Takes a Bow at the Nottingham Empire Theatre. 

Fundraising events for the statue include Morecambe & Wise 75th Anniversary Variety Show at Blackpool Opera House on Saturday July 2. It will feature Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, who have toured with the tribute show Eric and Little Ern

In a statement, they said: 'We are both are humbled by the positive reaction we have  had from the theatre going public and from the many friends and admirers of Morecambe & Wise that we have met over the past three years.

'The thought  of performing as Eric & Little Ern at the world famous Opera House in Blackpool where Morecambe & Wise performed together so many times is a great honour and we are both hugely excited at the prospect of treading the same boards as they trod so often during their illustrious career.'

The gig will also feature Roy Walker, Mick Miller Ted Robbins – and a new comedy act chosen from a talent hunt.

Here is the Eric and Little Ern tribute act:

Published: 16 Feb 2016