In June 1974, I was regional manager of a TV-rental company and had just completed an inspection of the Harpenden branch.
The branch manager and showroom manageress were experienced and competent. Consequently my visit had gone well, leaving time for pleasant socialising in the showroom before the lunch break and my next inspection in the afternoon.
Suddenly, the manageress exclaimed, ‘Oh, I think it’s Eric Morecambe.’
Sure enough, it was. He walked towards the showroom in an immaculate blazer and flannels. He quickly realised he had an attentive audience.
On arriving outside the showroom, he immediately went into a comic performance. First, he stood on one foot and then he lifted the other leg in an imitation of the Harry Worth mirror sketch. Harry was another comedian of that time, with his own very popular series.
This was followed by Eric’s own inimitable routine: the eyebrow multi raising, the rictus smiles and liberal use of his spectacles. He had his small audience of three in the palm of his hand. He waved goodbye and continued his walk through the town, where he lived for many years until his death in 1984 – aged only 58.
At the time, he was still at the height of his and Ernie Wise’s popularity and fame. He gave us a few minutes of enormous pleasure. I have always felt our appreciation was more than equalled by the satisfaction he had in giving us so much enjoyment.
He was a lovely man, whose humour was never malicious or politically motivated. He will always remain in my thoughts because of those few minutes of joy he gavethethreeofus–justashegavetoso many and still does to the millions of viewers who watch his and Ernie’s shows. David Blundell
