Morecambe & Wise

It's more than a quarter of a century since Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise's double act was stopped in its tracks by Morecambe's untimely death - which, in the world of showbiz, is certainly enough time to be forgotten, usurped or found to be desperately unfashionable by a new generation of viewers and performers. But the pair retain enough comic sparkle to put most of their successors in the shade.

Eric and Ernie is a biopic that follows the pair from their beginnings on Jack Hylton's youth theatre circuit up until the brink of TV success in the 1950s. Written by Peter Bowker, and starring Bryan Dick as Ernie Wise, Daniel Rigby as Eric Morecambe and Victoria Wood as Morecambe's ambitious, plain-talking mother Sadie, it's a wonderful piece of drama: warm-hearted, clever, beautifully acted and funny enough to make your cheeks ache.

'You don't become a national treasure overnight'

Victoria Wood's new project tells the story of Morecambe and Wise's troubled early years. "You don't become a national treasure overnight", she says.

Victoria Wood tells all about Eric and Ernie

Victoria Wood insists her latest TV venture, which delves into the early career of Morecambe and Wise, "will not be one of those dark dramas."

Eric, Ernie... and Victoria

Victoria Wood has brought the story of the double act's early years to the screen - and she plays Morecambe's mother. Gerard Gilbert meets her.

Video: Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick interview

Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick, who play comic duo Morecambe & Wise in Victoria Wood's drama, say the story of their formative years will surprise audiences.

Video: Behind the scenes of Morecambe and Wise TV drama

Morecambe and Wise are to return to our screens in a TV drama about how the comedians became famous.

Eric and Ernie stars the likes of Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves.

The BBC's David Sillito went behind the scenes to meet some of the cast.

Victoria Wood: Why Eric & Ernie STILL bring me sunshine

Victoria Wood first thought ten years ago of ­telling the story of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise before they were famous.

Morecambe & Wise to Office: 10 best Christmas specials

The BBC Christmas Special has become a stalwart of the festive television schedule - from institutions such as Morecambe and Wise to the newer comedy talents of The Office and Gavin and Stacey.

Filming begins on Morecambe & Wise drama

Bryan Dick and Daniel Rigby - who are playing the two stars for a BBC2 drama - donned dinner jackets during a city centre location shooting.

Victoria Wood to star in Morecambe and Wise film

Comedians Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves have signed up to star in a feature-length film about the comic duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.