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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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The Morecambe and Wise Show
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Something of a national institution on television (ATV 1961–8, BBC till 1978, subsequently Thames TV). Eric Morecambe was the stage name of Eric Bartholomew (1926–84, born in Morecambe), as was Ernie Wise of Ernest Wiseman (1925-99). The pair first met and formed a double act as teenagers, in 1941, but they were separated when Morecambe went down the mines as a Bevin boy and Wise was drafted into the merchant navy. They joined up again in 1947 and gradually shaped the act in which Wise was the anchor ('my buddy Ern with the short fat hairy legs') round whom Morecambe cavorted, both verbally and physically. One of many popular catch phrases was Morecambe's question and answer about the show: 'What do you think of it so far?' 'Rubbish!'
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