Eric and Ernie statue brings resort sunshine

Family members, VIPs and hundreds of members of the public gathered at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for the official unveiling of the new Morecambe and Wise statue.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Oct 2016, 15:55 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2016, 18:25 BST
The Morecambe and Wise statue is unveiled at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by , left to right Gary Morecambe, Joam Morecambe, Gail Morecambe and Michael Williams from the Winter GardensThe Morecambe and Wise statue is unveiled at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by , left to right Gary Morecambe, Joam Morecambe, Gail Morecambe and Michael Williams from the Winter Gardens
The Morecambe and Wise statue is unveiled at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by , left to right Gary Morecambe, Joam Morecambe, Gail Morecambe and Michael Williams from the Winter Gardens

The bronze depicts the evergreen TV comedians in characteristic affectionate pose in the domed foyer of the venue where they appeared hundreds of times in variety shows before their TV career took off.

The unveiling was carried out by Eric Morecambe’s children Gary and Gail along with mum Joan..

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Created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson, who also did the famous statue of Eric in Morecambe and the Les Dawson statue in St Annes, the 8ft bronzed statue was commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of Eric and Ernie first appearing on stage together in 1941.

The Morecambe and Wise statue is unveiled at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by , left to right Gary Morecambe, Joam Morecambe, Gail Morecambe and Michael Williams from the Winter GardensThe Morecambe and Wise statue is unveiled at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by , left to right Gary Morecambe, Joam Morecambe, Gail Morecambe and Michael Williams from the Winter Gardens
The Morecambe and Wise statue is unveiled at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool by , left to right Gary Morecambe, Joam Morecambe, Gail Morecambe and Michael Williams from the Winter Gardens

Michael Williams, Winter Gardens managing director, said: “We are delighted to host this fabulous tribute to Morecambe and Wise here in their spiritual home of Blackpool.

“Eric and Ernie performed in Blackpool more than 1,000 times during their career and lots of people will have fond memories of seeing them on stage here.

“They were adored by the British public so it is only fitting this is a public unveiling. Morecambe and Wise hold such a special place in the hearts of comedy lovers everywhere.”

Related topics:Morecambe and WiseEric MorecambeWinter GardensBlackpool