Eric Morecambe

How Eric Morecambe saved Ernie from an unwise break-up

They were one of the nation's most enduring comedy double-acts, their sketches tickling audiences for more than four decades and catapulting them from music halls to some of the highest audiences ever recorded on British television. But the emergence of a long-lost letter reveals that Morecambe and Wise almost broke up long before their TV debut.

Everybody has a favourite Morecambe and Wise sketch - including those too young to see the shows when they first aired.

Thanks to repeats and tribute shows such as these, even babies are familiar with the 'Andrew Preview' music sketch and the time newsreader Angela Rippon got her pins out for the boys.

Both pop up in this homage to the great comedy duo, hosted by lifelong fan Paul Merton.

It's lovely watching a presenter who genuinely cares about the subject. He's joined by people who worked with Eric and Ernie, including Angela, Bruce Forsyth, conductor Andre Previn and writer Eddie Braban - who provided acres of material for the duo and wrote many of their famous Christmas specials.

Watching the footage again, you realise just how pants today's sketch shows are. Who will remember Tittybangbang in 30 years' time, let alone pay tribute to it?

Paul Merton introduces this tribute to the comedy duo. We'll be honest - we could quite happily spend the entire festive period eating dark chocolate Digestives and watching these two muck about with Angela Rippon and prepare breakfast to The Stripper. So, we're ever so excited - even more than if Baileys flowed from the taps - that Paul Merton's uncovered rare material of the duo in action for this tip-top celebration of the best British double act who didn't share the same first name. What a treat.

Arguably the best-loved comedy duo of all time are given due reverence in this celebration hosted by fan Paul Merton. All the usual clips will be present and correct, but there's also some early material thrown in, alongside fond recollections of the mighty pair's comedy mastery from fans and colleagues. Morecambe and Wise: always a pleasure, never a chore.

The Unseen Eric Morecambe (Channel 4) also went looking for skeletons in the cupboard and found it bare. His cluttered study in Harpenden was out of bounds even to his family and has been untouched since. There was nothing there but the slight whiff of worry.

Penelope Keith was the guest. Eddie Braben's script invited her to mistake Ernie for Kermit the Frog. Angie Rippon danced through. Every component of the show was triple-tested. The sense of adventure was consequently lacking. Eric was twice as funny busking with Dickie Davies on ITV's World of Sport on Christmas Eve.

Morecambe and Wise give freshness to very venerable material indeed. They got a lot of mileage last night out of knickers, bloomers, and, incredibly, drawers. If a joke doesn't work. they work at it until it does.