Broadcasting and comedy legends will celebrate the life of Eric Morecambe in his home town next month at the Harpenden arts venue named after the comedian.

There's going to be a special day of events at the Eric Morecambe Centre on Sunday, March 6 with star guests appearing including Sir Michael Parkinson, Angela Rippon, Gary Morecambe, Eric’s son, and comedians and big fans Robin Ince and Richard Herring.

The celebrity tribute to the comic genius will mark the opening season of Harpenden’s new arts venue in his name.

Eric Morecambe: All The Right Notes will celebrate the life and work of one half of the UK’s favourite and most-loved double act and resident of Harpenden from the early 1960s until his death in 1984.

Herts Advertiser: Eric Morecambe lived in Harpenden. Here's a picture of the star from the Herts Advertiser archives.Eric Morecambe lived in Harpenden. Here's a picture of the star from the Herts Advertiser archives. (Image: Archant / Herts Advertiser Archive)

In a day of exclusive events, colleagues, friends, celebrity fans and family remember Eric the performer, the comic, and the man, from his private home life to starring in one of the most watched and beloved British TV shows in history.

Producer and host of the events, Tommy Pearson, is a resident of Harpenden and managing director of Big Screen Live, a company specialising in film and TV-related events.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden's Tommy Pearson, of Big Screen LiveHarpenden's Tommy Pearson, of Big Screen Live (Image: Big Screen Live)

Tommy said: “As a huge Morecambe and Wise fan, it seemed obvious to me that we should celebrate Harpenden’s most famous resident, and I’m incredibly grateful to Sir Michael, Angela Rippon, Robin Ince and Richard Herring for agreeing to take part, as well as Louis Barfe and Eric’s son, Gary.

"It will be a real privilege to welcome them all to Harpenden, and an absolute honour for it to take place in the new arts venue named after Eric.”

Special guests include broadcasting and comedy legends:

  • Sir Michael Parkinson, legendary chat show host, who appeared with Morecambe and Wise on their TV show and interviewed them in 1972 for Parkinson.
  • Angela Rippon, broadcaster and former newsreader whose appearance on Morecambe and Wise as a dancer is an iconic moment in British TV history.
  • Robin Ince, stand-up comedian, writer and co-star, with Prof Brian Cox, of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage.
  • Richard Herring, comedian, writer and pioneering podcaster.
  • Gary Morecambe, Eric’s son, who looks after his father’s legacy.
  • Louis Barfe, author of a new biography of Morecambe and Wise, ‘Sunshine and Laughter’.


Eric Morecambe: All The Right Notes programme

There will be a series of events on Sunday, March 6 from 1pm, comprising of four separately ticketed sessions.

Every session will feature famous clips from the Morecambe and Wise shows. The four sessions are:

1. Sunshine and Laughter

Session 1: 1pm (60 mins): Gary Morecambe & Louis Barfe

Herts Advertiser: Louis Barfe and Gary Morecambe, Eric's son.Louis Barfe and Gary Morecambe, Eric's son. (Image: Supplied by Big Screen Live)

Louis Barfe and Gary Morecambe discuss Eric’s life in and out of the spotlight, on television and at home. Tickets £15.


2. Comedy Masterclass

Session 2: 2.15pm (60 mins): Richard Herring & Robin Ince

Herts Advertiser: Comedians Robin Ince and Richard Herring will host a comedy masterclass at the EMC in HarpendenComedians Robin Ince and Richard Herring will host a comedy masterclass at the EMC in Harpenden (Image: Supplied by Big Screen Live / Steve Brown)

Star comedians and writers Richard Herring and Robin Ince choose their favourite Morecambe and Wise sketches and discuss the duo’s performance skills, Eddie Braben’s scripts, and the art of comedy in an exclusive masterclass. Tickets £15.


3. Working With Eric & Ernie

Session 3: 3.30pm (90 mins): Sir Michael Parkinson & Angela Rippon CBE

Herts Advertiser: Sir Michael Parkinson and Angela Rippon CBE will discuss what it was like to work with Eric and Ernie.Sir Michael Parkinson and Angela Rippon CBE will discuss what it was like to work with Eric and Ernie. (Image: Supplied by Big Screen Live)

Angela Rippon and Sir Michael Parkinson reveal what it was like working with ‘the boys’ on the biggest TV shows and getting to know them off-screen. They will also take questions from the audience. Tickets £25.


4. The Parkinson Interview

Session 4: 5.15pm (75 mins): Sir Michael Parkinson

Herts Advertiser: Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise and Sir Michael ParkinsonEric Morecambe and Ernie Wise and Sir Michael Parkinson (Image: Herts Advertiser archive / Supplied by Big Screen Live)

Sir Michael Parkinson introduces a screening of his TV interview with Morecambe and Wise followed by questions from the audience. Tickets £15.

Herts Advertiser: Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise from the Herts Advertiser archive.Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise from the Herts Advertiser archive. (Image: Archant)

Tickets can be booked at the Eric Morecambe Centre website https://the-emc.co.uk/

Attendees who book tickets for all four events will receive a free copy of Louis Barfe’s book about Morecambe and Wise 'Sunshine and Laughter' signed by all the special guests.