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Ernie Wise of the Morecambe and Wise Team

1968 , Peterborough (Northamptonshire)

Cat no. 208510

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Ernie Wise is interviewed while Eric Morecambe is unable to work following a heart attack

Entertainer Ernie Wise is interviewed by Anglia Television presenter Vic Birtles about the future of his comedy partnership with Eric Morecambe who has suffered a heart attack. Asked if there is any possibility of Morecambe and Wise breaking up, Ernie replies “No, not at all”. He recalls that people have been asking what will happen if one of them is ill, or dies, for the past 27 years before “this terrific thing” happened. He says they are so integrated that one can’t work without the other, and that possibly this is not right. Asked if they could achieve success independently, he mentions Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (partners as Martin and Lewis) who each found success on their own. The interviewer says “you virtually live, eat, sleep together” and Ernie jokes that “we don’t sleep together” saying that is putting undertones on it. Ernie says he misses his partner and hopes he gets better quickly, and that Eric is full of jokes while in hospital. He predicts that Eric will start making progress in March and will be fit and well by next September. It is Ernie’s birthday, he is 43 though he jokes about 44 and 42, and he is presented with a bottle of White Horse whisky as a gift from Anglia Television.

Keywords

Partnership; Celebrities; Morecambe and Wise

Background Information

Eric Morecambe had a heart attack on 8 November 1968 aged 42. He took six months off to recover, returning for a press call at BBC Television Centre in May 1969. Morecambe and Wise returned to the stage together in August 1969.

Manifestations

Ernie Wise of the Morecambe and Wise Team

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