A huge collection of Eric Morecambe's personal belongings has opened for public viewing ahead of an auction.
The Eric Morecambe Collection can be seen this week at Burton Albion Football Club ahead of the auction on Friday and Saturday.
The legendary TV comedian's children have decided to auction their father's treasures to give fans the chance to own a piece of his incredible legacy.
There are more than 700 lots for sale, the entire contents of the Morecambe and Wise star's family home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
The lots include everything from his famous spectacles to the piano he practised on to deliver a famous Morecambe and Wise Christmas special TV sketch with conductor André Previn – the one where Eric ‘plays all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order’.

His antiques, collectibles and art, including a painting of the star by royal portrait artist Richard Stone, will show the ‘other side’ of the man who made millions laugh.
Secrets of his success are revealed by a mountain of never-before-seen items including heaps of gag and sketch ideas.
They include loving letters from Eric’s parents and a poignant message from his comedy partner Ernie Wise revealing how close the pair came to splitting up.
Ernie explained that, with a very heavy heart, he wanted to break up the duo before they continued and became massive.
He signed it ‘your best pal’.
Thankfully that never happened. Their partnership lasted from 1941 until Eric’s death from a heart attack in 1984.

There are also playbills and posters, right from the beginning of the comedian's career, as well as photographs and scrapbooks of cuttings, documenting his very first performances and reviews when he was only a child.
There are thousands of photographs of Eric with celebrities of the day, some signed and inscribed, including actor Cary Grant. There are costumes from memorable sketches and numerous props including Eric’s famous ventriloquist dummy, Charlie.
Eric and his wife Joan's three children, Gail, Gary and Steven, hope the sale will light up lives for legions of fans. Joan died, aged 97, in 2024.
John Eric Bartholomew OBE (1926-1984), known by stage name Eric Morecambe, took his name from his home town, the seaside resort of Morecambe. He was the co-star of BBC television series The Morecambe and Wise Show, which for the 1977 Christmas episode gained UK viewing figures of over 28 million people. One of the most prominent comedians in British popular culture, in 2002 he was named among the top 40 Greatest Britons in a BBC poll – placed above David Beckham and Henry VIII.
The Eric Morecambe Collection opened for public viewing on Sunday and is open today (January 7) until 4pm, then Wednesday from 10am to 8pm and Thursday from 10am to 3pm, at Burton Albion Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 0AR.

Eric's daughter Gail is also giving talks on the day of the public viewings.
No appointment required. Admission for two people is by purchase of the Eric Morecambe Collection catalogue, priced £25.
The auction takes place from 10am to 4pm on January 10 and 11.


Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe

