Hundreds of kids to pay homage to Eric Morecambe as more centenary celebrations revealed

More than 800 school pupils will perform the trademark 'Bring Me Sunshine' dance on the Promenade during a fun run to celebrate Eric Morecambe's centenary.

Morecambe Bay Academy’s Eric Morecambe Run will be held on Friday May 15, and will be started by Gary and Gail Morecambe, Eric's children.

Pupils will run one mile from the school along the Promenade from Broadway to the Bay Arena, performing the trademark Morecambe and Wise skip on their way past Eric’s statue. 

Members of the public are invited to line the Promenade and show their support and encouragement in what is bound to be quite the spectacle!

This event is supported by Morecambe Town Council, who announced it this week in a programme of official events to mark the 100th birthday of the legendary TV comedian, who was born and brought up in the town.

Morecambe and Wise

Key events already announced, which centre around Eric’s birthday (May 14), include two performances of West End theatrical hit An Evening of Eric & Ern at Morecambe’s Winter Gardens (Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 - the Saturday night show is sold out), a discussion with Gary and Gail Morecambe about their father’s legacy (May 16 at the Winter Gardens), Morecambe Heritage’s Follow the Sunshine exhibition (opening May 12 in the Arndale shopping centre), and an Eric Morecambe-themed walking trail (May 14 to 16).

Newly announced highlights include an Eric-themed Special Educational Needs (SEND) workshop (May 25), a musical tribute to Morecambe & Wise from Morecambe Brass Band (July 4) and a performance art and photography installation Eric On The Bay (July 14).

On the day of the centenary (May 14), Gary and Gail will pay a special visit to the statue of their father on the Promenade, accompanied by its sculptor Graham Ibbeson. Eric's iconic Rolls Royce will also be on display.

Gail Stuart and Gary Morecambe with Lesley Fountain (centre), widow of Mike Fountain, Eric's chauffeur

A mural tribute to Eric Morecambe, commissioned by Morecambe Business Improvement District (Morecambe BID), will be unveiled in May on the side of the Hitchen's building, on a date and time to be confirmed.

Morecambe Town Council will unveil an Eric Morecambe 100-themed display at Morecambe railway station on a date and time to be confirmed.

And the ‘Ninja Knitters’ of Morecambe’s life-size crocheted Eric Morecambe mannequin will be popping up at various events around town – dates and times to be confirmed.

Further events and activities are expected to be added throughout the year.

"The Eric Morecambe 100 programme includes events and activities dreamed up by individuals and organisations from many different walks of Morecambe life, with the blessing of Eric Morecambe’s family," said Councillor Lee Bradbury, chairperson of Morecambe Town Council’s Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Committee.

"The enthusiasm and love for Eric and what he means to this town is clear to see – and the town council is proud to be supporting as many events and activities as possible, whether through direct funding or logistical support.

"We anticipate continuing to work with partners and building the programme throughout  2026. Eric will only be 100 once and we’ve got a whole year in which to continue the celebrations!"

Individuals or organisations with further ideas or initiatives to add to the celebrations can contact Morecambe Town Council at hello@morecambe.gov.uk

Eric Morecambe, renowned for his TV comic partnership with Ernie Wise, was born John Eric Bartholomew on Buxton Street in the town on May 14 1926, and lived on Christie Avenue as a boy.

Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show TV specials were massively popular during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, peaking at 28 million viewers in 1977.

Eric died, aged 58, in 1984. The comic's statue on the Promenade pulls huge numbers of visitors each year.

The Eric Morecambe Statue

OFFICIAL ERIC 100 PROGRAMME announced to date

Follow The Sunshine: Eric Morecambe Centenary Exhibition
Opens 12 May 2026, noon
Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11am-3pm
Morecambe Heritage, Arndale Centre
Browse a collection of photos, postcards, letters and scripts giving an insight into Eric Morecambe’s life, including personal items from his collection.
The exhibition will be opened by the Mayor of Lancaster on May 12 and run throughout the summer of 2026. 
This exhibition is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Free entry, no booking required.

Radio Morecambe: We Luv 70s Morecambe and Wise Special
May 12, 2pm
The Platform
DJ Steve Middlesbrough invites you on a musical journey back to the 1970s and the height of Morecambe and Wise’s fame, featuring hilarious songs from their iconic sketch show and numbers from some of the legendary musical guests who gamely braved their company!
Entry £5 per person, payable on the door

Happy Birthday Eric!
May 14, 10.30am
Eric Morecambe Statue,
Welcome Gary and Gail Morecambe to town as they pay a visit to their father’s iconic statue accompanied by the artist and sculptor, Graham Ibbeson. Catch a glimpse of Eric’s original Rolls Royce and hear the choir of Sandylands Primary School singing ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ as they arrive.

Follow The Sunshine: Eric Morecambe Centenary Walks

May 14, 15 and 16, 2pm
Departing from Eric Morecambe Statue.
Take a whistlestop tour of some key locations in the early life and career of legendary comedian Eric Morecambe on the new ‘Follow The Sunshine’ trail. Created to mark the 100th anniversary of Eric Morecambe’s birth, these guided walks are led by local historian and ‘Morecambeologist’ Peter Wade. Visitors can also self-guide using a map and information booklet available throughout the summer from Morecambe Heritage.
This project is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Entry £2 per person, payable on departure.

The Intelligence Men (U, 1965)
May 15, 2pm
The Jubilee Club, Torrisholme
Enjoy Morecambe and Wise’s first big-screen outing: comic spy caper The Intelligence Men.
A chance encounter with a SCHLECHT secret agent forces a humble coffee shop manager into the secret world of spies in Swinging London, and a race against time to foil a sinister assassination plot during the ballet Swan Lake.
Free entry, no booking required.

Morecambe Bay Academy’s Eric Morecambe Run
May 15, time TBC
Gary and Gail Morecambe fire the starting gun for over 800 students from Morecambe Bay Academy as they run one mile along the Promenade from Broadway to the Bay Arena, performing the trademark Morecambe and Wise skip on their way past Eric’s statue. 
Members of the public are invited to line the Promenade and show their support and encouragement in what will be quite the spectacle!
This event is supported by Morecambe Town Council.

Winter Gardens Eric Morecambe Open Days
May 16 and 17, noon-3pm
Morecambe Winter Gardens
Enjoy classic clips featuring Morecambe and Wise on the big screen and a small exhibition of Eric Morecambe memorabilia from the private collection of David Harrop. 
Plus at 2pm on the Sunday, social media’s Morecambe and Wise Archive tells the story of Morecambe & Wise with archive items, images, film clips and more in a free talk.
This event is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Free entry, no booking required.

An advertisement for the Eric Morecambe Centenary events outside the Winter Gardens. Photo: Beyond Radio

Eric Morecambe Centenary Discussion
May 16, 4pm
Morecambe Winter Gardens
Explore the life, career and enduring legacy of Eric Morecambe with Gary and Gail Morecambe, reflecting on his legendary comedy partnership with Ernie Wise, whose influence continues to shape British entertainment.
Set within one of the town’s most iconic venues, the discussion offers audiences a rare and personal insight into the story behind one of the greatest double acts of all time.
The conversation will be hosted by Martin Clarkson, Executive Producer of Eric and Ern, who will guide a warm, celebratory look back at the partnership, the performances and the friendship that defined Morecambe and Wise.
This event is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Free entry, booking essential HERE.

An Evening of Eric & Ern
May 16 and 17, 7.30pm
Morecambe Winter Gardens, Martin Clarkson and The Production Garden in association with Cube Room Productions present two An Evening of Eric and Ern performances with Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens (below).

From the Olivier nominated duo behind the hugely celebrated critically acclaimed West End hit.
This is a show for all the family from 8 to 80.
A brilliant homage crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, that hits all the right notes! Coming to Morecambe for one night only, celebrate the Centenary year of the nations favourite comedy legends Morecambe & Wise.
From Greig’s Piano concerto to Mr Memory, “Arsenal!” It’s a show full of Morecambe and Wise’s most loved routines, songs and sketches and of course a musical guest.
This wonderful show evokes memories of times when whole families would huddle around the telly to watch those fantastic Christmas specials.
You’ll feel you’ve experienced the real thing and been taken back to a world of sunshine and laughter.
As seen on The One show BBC1 and The Alan Titchmarsh Show ITV.
This event is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Paid ticketed, booking essential HERE.

That Riviera Touch (PG, 1966)
May 17, 4pm
Morecambe Winter Gardens
Eric and Ern star as two hapless traffic wardens who head to the French Riviera for a holiday, only to find themselves caught in a caper involving stolen gems, a vintage car, and a suspicious villa.
Screened in the spectacular setting of the Morecambe Winter Gardens, this event is a tribute to the man who put Morecambe on the map. Expect laughter, nostalgia, and plenty of sunshine.
This event is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Free entry, booking essential HERE.

Morecambe and Wise on the set of That Riviera Touch, with Yolando Ottonello from Morecambe

Eric Morecambe 100: SEND family session
May 25, 11am-3pm
More Music
Play your own way while exploring the funny world of Eric Morecambe, in this specialist session for families with neurodivergence, special educational needs, disability and additional needs.
The session is offered by Connect Play Learn CIC and led by experienced SEND facilitators who will offer crafts, sensory and exploratory play, joke telling skills with actors, funny glasses, seagulls, sand and more!
Open to all ages and abilities, no SEND diagnosis is needed and siblings are always welcome. No activity is compulsory, with multiple options throughout the day. Sessions start at 11 am with themed crafts, break for lunch at 12 (bring your own) before the sensory and exploratory play and actor sessions. The day ends with homemade snacks and story time for those who want it. Allergies catered for.
This session is supported by Morecambe Town Council.
Entry £8, booking essential HERE.

All The Right Notes: A Musical Tribute to Morecambe and Wise
July 4, 7.30pm
The Platform
Celebrate the musical comedic genius of Morecambe and Wise in this free concert from Morecambe Brass Band.
Whether making breakfast to ‘The Stripper’ or Eric getting drenched while Ernie was ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, Morecambe and Wise’s talent for musical comedy was unmatched. 
The influence of early careers forged in the fires of music hall variety shows carried through to the height of their fame on the BBC, providing iconic moments and barrels of laughs that remain evergreen today.
Morecambe Brass Band perform a musical tribute to the iconic double act, featuring numbers from some of their greatest musical sketches including: Bring me Sunshine, 
Me & My Shadow, Positive Thinking, The Stripper, Singin’ in the Rain, We Get Along So Easily, Big Spender, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, and many more.
This event is presented by Morecambe Town Council.
Free entry, booking essential HERE.

Eric On The Bay
July 14, 5.30pm
Enjoy the visual spectacle of 100 Erics ‘skipping’ out on the bay in this performance art and photography project.
From creative team Anthony Haddon and Rich Berry, Eric On The Bay is inspired by Antony Gormley's Another Place sculpture installation on Crosby beach.

Get involved as one of the many skipping Erics - email Anthony Haddon at ashaddon@gmail.com to volunteer. This project is supported by Morecambe Town Council.

* Other events announced for the centenary week, separate to this, include:

A mayoral reception for invited guests at Morecambe Town Hall on May 14, the day of the centenary.

A Sing Me Sunshine Special with community singing group Sing Me Sunshine, the Jubilee Club, Torrisholme (2pm to 4pm) on May 13

'Happy Birthday Eric' events featuring Eric Morecambe impersonator Bob More, Morecambe Heritage Centre, Arndale centre, Morecambe (10am to 3pm), May 14

Eric and Ernie Singalong, the Platform, Morecambe (2pm to 5pm), May 14

'We Luv 1970s Eric Morecambe All-Dayer' with Elton John tribute, Jubilee Club, Torrisholme (noon until midnight), May 15

An Eric Morecambe exhibition by Manchester historian David Harrop will also return to Morecambe Library.

And a portrait of Eric, donated by artist Dave Miles, will be unveiled at the comedian's old school Lancaster Road Primary on the centenary date.

Read more: Work under way on new mural to celebrate Eric Morecambe's centenary - Beyond Radio

Eric Morecambe exhibition and guided tours announced for week of his 100th birthday - Beyond Radio

Second date announced for Winter Gardens Eric Morecambe centenary show - Beyond Radio

LISTEN: 'Wacky Week' of events to celebrate Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday - Beyond Radio

LISTEN: Eric Morecambe centenary celebrations announced for Winter Gardens - Beyond Radio