John Eric Bartholomew OBE , better known by his stage name, Eric Morecambe was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise, formed the double act Morecambe and Wise. In the United Kingdom he is widely considered a comic genius. Eric took his stage name from his home town – the seaside resort of Morecambe in Lancashire, England. Of all the comedy acts produced by the United Kingdom, Morecambe and Wise were perhaps the first truly great double act in the United Kingdom. Many have highlighted the genuine affection Eric and Ernie had for one another. Their enjoyment of their work was picked up by the audience who regarded them as friends as well as entertainers. He and Wise were well-regarded and their reputation enabled them to garner a number of prestigious guests including Angela Rippon, Princess Anne, Cliff Richard, Laurence Olivier, John Mills, the Dad's Army cast, Glenda Jackson, Tom Jones, Elton John, The Beatles and even former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Des O'Connor was frequently the butt of their humour, often because of his allegedly awful singing.