17 May 2026
Harpenden remembered one of its favourite sons – the comedian Eric Morecambe – on what would have been his 100th birthday with a special event at the entertainment venue which bears his name.
A celebration of his life and connections to Harpenden – the town where he lived from 1967 until his death in 1984 – took place on May 14 at the Eric Morecambe Centre.
In attendance at the afternoon event was St Albans Mayor Cllr Teresa Heritage, and Harpenden’s Mayor elect Cllr Kirsti Wren, with local collector Matt Webster bringing along some of his many items of Eric memorabilia including artwork, scripts, glasses, photographs, and even a pair of shoes owned and worn by Eric on stage.
Eric often referred to Harpenden in his comedy, including featuring a band called The Harpenden Hot-Shots and introducing himself as Lord Eric, Fourth Duke of Harpenden.
His wife Joan , who was made an OBE for charitable services in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List on 2015, continued to take an active part in the life of the town following Eric’s death until she died on her 97th birthday, March 26 2024.
An iconic Blue Plaque recognising his contribution to television history which once held pride of place at BBC TV Centre was unveiled at the EMC by the funnyman’s daughter Gail in 2024. It was one of a limited collection of 24 plaques which could be seen at the Wood Lane building before it closed in 2012.
It sits alongside pieces of a pipe he once used and a photo of him accepting his portrait – also on display – from painter George Anthony Roe in October 1970.
All photos by Steve Collins
Check out the St Albans Times’ collection of Morecambe and Wise photos here: https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/in-pictures-morecambe-and-wise-snapped-around-st-albans-district/
