Thursday May 14 marks 100 years since the birth of comedy great Eric Morecambe who alongside Ernie Wise still makes millions laugh to this day.
John Eric Bartholomew was born on May 14 1926 on Buxton Street in the town, to parents George and Sadie, and grew up on Christie Avenue.
Eric attended Lancaster Road Primary School in Morecambe from 1932 to 1937, and later Euston Road School (now the site of Morecambe Bay Primary School).
According to his mum Sadie, Eric was "no student" and "his school reports were our despair". But he was a natural performer.
By the age of three he was doing song and dance routines for family and neighbours, and was enrolled in dance classes at the age of 10.
His first paid gig was for five shillings at the Jubilee Club in Torrisholme.
Eric started singing in Morecambe seafront hotels and by the age of 13, his mum started taking him further afield.
He won a talent contest at Hoylake, which earned him an audition with impresario Jack Hylton, who later invited the young Eric to join a 'discoveries' show called 'Youth Takes a Bow'.
While touring he became good friends with a fellow young entertainer, Ernest Wiseman (Ernie Wise), and they soon became a double act.
They honed their craft in theatres around the UK, and on radio, before their first TV show 'Running Wild' in 1954.
It was poorly received by critics, but after further stage and television appearances they broke through with the popular series 'Two of a Kind' in the 1960s.
But it is their Morecambe and Wise Show Christmas specials on the BBC for which they are most remembered.
Famous and hilarious sketches including 'Grieg's Piano Concerto' with the renowned conductor Andre Previn, their breakfast dance routine to 'The Stripper', a parody of Gene Kelly's famous dance in 'Singin' in the Rain' and routines with other celebrities including Angela Rippon and Penelope Keith have passed into British television folklore.
Eric's razor-sharp wit, repartee with Ernie, and trademark waggling of his specs, made him a household name.
Such was their popularity, 28 million people tuned in to watch the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show on the BBC in 1977.
Eric had married his wife Joan in 1952, and they had three children, Gary, Gail and Steven.
The family home was in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, but Eric often returned to his home town, notably with Ernie Wise when they switched on the Morecambe Illuminations in 1969 and 1975.
Eric suffered from heart problems and died, aged just 58, in May 1984 after collapsing backstage following a show at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
He was immortalised by his home town when Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the Eric Morecambe Statue on the Promenade in 1999, the same year that Ernie passed away.
The statue, showing Eric in his trademark 'Bring Me Sunshine' pose with binoculars around his neck - as he was a keen birdwatcher - attracts huge crowds of visitors.
The popularity of Morecambe and Wise has continued to this day, with regular TV specials showing their sketches, routines and programmes.
Eric remains much-loved in Morecambe, with many nods to him around the town including the Eric Bartholomew pub and Eric's Cafe opposite the statue.
The town has also embraced the celebrations for his centenary, with many events taking place this week around Morecambe to honour the man who brought us sunshine.
Read more: Eric Morecambe centenary: Programme of events - Beyond Radio
Credit: Morecambe and Wise Untold by William Cook
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