Gail Stewart

John Eric Bartholomew was born at Morecambe, where he went to school. He was an energetic hyperactive child, who often played truant from school and would then entertain the builders, at work. He enjoyed football. When he was taken to a dancing class with girls, he was described as "very talented and gifted." He won several talent contests at around the age of 9 to 10 years. When he was 11 years old, he first met Ernie Wise, when they were in a talent contest For a time, Emie travelled around with Eric and his mother, Sadie. The two boys shared almost everything. They drifted apart until after the War, when they met by chance. Ernie had a calming influence on Eric.

Eventually, Eric met his future wife, who was a glamour-feed for a comic. He proposed two weeks later. They married in December and Gail was born nine months after the honeymoon. She had a happy family up-bringing, but she and her brother, Gary, had to keep calm for Dad. They were once described as "What nice children" - they were well-behaved. Eric would cheat at games - he always wanted to win.

He would often embarrass his children. Once he suddenly stepped out of a hedge, when Gary was about to have a private game of football with his friend, William. At school, Gail was the only one with a famous father, but she pretended that she was adopted. Often Eric would say "you'll miss me when I've gone" and he would appear to them, with his glasses round the door. When Gail was in her teens, her friend, Guy, called in his MG, dressed in leather. Eric put up his hand to greet him, but moved it down when Guy attempted to shake hands. He then admired what Guy was wearing - "it's like a giant wallet" One young man who phoned to speak to Gail was told by Eric "I'm sorry - no phone here," so he replied Thankyou, Goodbye."

It is difficult to analyse why Eric was funny. Life was simple. He could make people feel better. He was not nervous at a Royal Command Performance - it was not a big deal. We heard that the Royal Family changed their meal-time for Morecambe and Wise. When Gail was 17, during a hold-up in his show, Eric told Gene Pitney "My daughter loves you." Gene replied "Oh that is nice - is she pretty?" Gail had to stand up as Eric said "Yes, she is beautiful, but she has sparrow legs."

Gail's mother was Eric's secretary and his "backbone". Later, when their own children had grown up, they adopted Stephen. Eric was 42, when he had his first heart attack. After this, it did not feel that they were living with an invalid. Gail described her bird-watching walks and rides in the car to Luton Town Football Club, when she could be alone with him. Eric was public property. People would say "Hello Eric" and even come and join him at the table, when he was out having a meal. After his third heart attack, Eric had his bypass operation, but he did not give up work. He had given up his early heavy smoking a long time ago and used his pipe just as a prop. Eric died nearly 25 years ago, when Gail was 30. She described him as "irreplaceable and what you saw is what he was."

After Eric's death, Gail's young son told his friend that his grandad was a Director of " Luton Town ". When asked "What does a Director do?" he replied "I think he shows them to their seats." Gail's favourite shows were "The Stripper" and the one with Andre Previn, who remained serious throughout. He had been told "It is not funny."

The evening was a memorial for three much-loved people - Guy and Jan Sellick-Taylor and Eric Morecambe.