Bring Me Sunshine (1984)
Encyclopedia
Bring Me Sunshine was a gala concert held at the London Palladium
on 28 November 1984 in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh
in aid of the British Heart Foundation
and was held in memory of the comedian Eric Morecambe
who had died the previous May after many years of heart problems. It was hosted by Morecambe's long-term partner Ernie Wise
and featured a host of personalities all paying their tribute to the much-missed comedian. The show began with a dance routine, the theme for the whole evening's music being "sunshine" the dancers were accompanied by You Are The Sunshine Of My Life which was followed by the big entrance of Ernie Wise
who first spoke, and then sang the duo's signature tune. This was an emotive moment for Wise and one that showed how big a part Morecambe had played in his life. Other stars that appeared over the course of the evening were:-
There was also a sequence in which the guests of honour were announced and appeared on stage, these included the following guest stars, fans and celebrities:-
The programme was filmed live and televised on ITV on Christmas Day of that year; in his summing up Des O'Connor
gave a touching and heartfelt tribute to Morecambe proclaiming that "...on the way here tonight I went through Trafalgar Square and the Christmas decorations were going up; I looked and the giant tree and thought to myself - there's going to be one less star on the tree this year". It was a glittering night that featured the cream of British talent paying tribute to a man who had been considered the best of the best among his peers.
The programme, made and broadcast by Thames Television
was aired once and has never been repeated or made commercially available in any format. However, the segment of Bruce Forsyth's piano playing and dancing was used in a compilation programme "Heroes Of Comedy" made in 1994 for Channel 4
.
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
on 28 November 1984 in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
in aid of the British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation is a charity organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart diseases in humans.-Foundation:...
and was held in memory of the comedian Eric Morecambe
Eric Morecambe
John Eric Bartholomew OBE , known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the award-winning double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death of a heart attack in 1984...
who had died the previous May after many years of heart problems. It was hosted by Morecambe's long-term partner Ernie Wise
Ernie Wise
Ernest Wiseman OBE , known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became an institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials.-Career:Ernest Wiseman was the eldest of five children, and changed...
and featured a host of personalities all paying their tribute to the much-missed comedian. The show began with a dance routine, the theme for the whole evening's music being "sunshine" the dancers were accompanied by You Are The Sunshine Of My Life which was followed by the big entrance of Ernie Wise
Ernie Wise
Ernest Wiseman OBE , known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became an institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials.-Career:Ernest Wiseman was the eldest of five children, and changed...
who first spoke, and then sang the duo's signature tune. This was an emotive moment for Wise and one that showed how big a part Morecambe had played in his life. Other stars that appeared over the course of the evening were:-
- Benny HillBenny HillBenny Hill was an English comedian and actor, notable for his long-running television programme The Benny Hill Show.-Early life:...
(who performed his headmaster routine complete with lectern) - Dickie HendersonDickie HendersonDickie Henderson, OBE was a London-born entertainer.-Early years:His father, Dick Henderson was a music hall comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice...
(with his well-known "off-key singer" routine) - Cannon & Ball (who had been citied as the next big double act)
- Kenny BallKenny BallKenny Ball is an English jazz musician, best known as the lead trumpet player in Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen.-Career:...
& His Jazzmen (who had appeared on so many of their shows) - Angela RipponAngela RipponAngela M. Rippon, OBE, born 12 October 1944, Plymouth, Devon, England, is an English television journalist, newsreader, writer and presenter. Rippon presented radio and television news programmes in South West England before moving to BBC One's Nine O'Clock News, becoming a regular presenter in 1975...
(who recreated her tiller girl dance routine) - James CaseyJames CaseyJames Byron Casey is an American football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rice.-Baseball career:Casey was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the seventh round of...
, Eli WoodsEli WoodsEli Woods is an English comedian and comic actor, born in Stockton-on-Tees, possibly best known for his work with stage comedian Jimmy James , and particularly for his part in the famous 'elephant-in-the-box' routine. Woods's birth name is actually Jack Casey.Jimmy James developed his famous act...
& Roy CastleRoy CastleRoy Castle OBE was an English dancer, singer, comedian, actor, television presenter and musician. He attended Honley High School, where there is now a building in his name...
(elephant in the box routine) - Bruce ForsythBruce ForsythSir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson, CBE , commonly known as Bruce Forsyth, or Brucie, is an English TV personality...
(who played piano and did a stand-up routine) - Des O'ConnorDes O'ConnorDes O'Connor, CBE is an English comedian and singer. A former talkshow host, he was the presenter of the long-running Channel 4 gameshow Countdown for two years...
(the long-term butt of Morecambe's jibes)
There was also a sequence in which the guests of honour were announced and appeared on stage, these included the following guest stars, fans and celebrities:-
- John ThawJohn ThawJohn Edward Thaw, CBE was an English actor, who appeared in a range of television, stage and cinema roles, his most popular being police and legal dramas such as Redcap, The Sweeney, Inspector Morse and Kavanagh QC.-Early life:Thaw came from a working class background, having been born in Gorton,...
- Sheila HancockSheila HancockSheila Cameron Hancock, CBE is an English actress and author.-Early life:Sheila Hancock was born in Blackgang on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of Ivy Louise and Enrico Cameron Hancock, who was a publican. Her sister Billie is seven years older...
- Martin ShawMartin ShawMartin Shaw is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in shows such as The Professionals, The Chief, Judge John Deed and Inspector George Gently.-Theatrical background:...
- Glenda JacksonGlenda JacksonGlenda May Jackson, CBE is a British Labour Party politician and former actress. She has been a Member of Parliament since 1992, and currently represents Hampstead and Kilburn. She previously served as MP for Hampstead and Highgate...
- Fulton MackayFulton MackayFulton Mackay OBE was a Scottish actor and playwright, best known for his role as prison officer Mr. Mackay in the 1970s sitcom Porridge.-Early life:...
- Dickie DaviesDickie DaviesRichard "Dickie" Davies is a British television presenter, best known for presenting World of Sport from 1968 until 1985....
- Francis MatthewsFrancis Matthews (actor)-Early life:Matthews attended St Michael's Jesuit College, Leeds and started his acting career with Leeds repertory theatre before service in the Royal Navy.-Career:...
The programme was filmed live and televised on ITV on Christmas Day of that year; in his summing up Des O'Connor
Des O'Connor
Des O'Connor, CBE is an English comedian and singer. A former talkshow host, he was the presenter of the long-running Channel 4 gameshow Countdown for two years...
gave a touching and heartfelt tribute to Morecambe proclaiming that "...on the way here tonight I went through Trafalgar Square and the Christmas decorations were going up; I looked and the giant tree and thought to myself - there's going to be one less star on the tree this year". It was a glittering night that featured the cream of British talent paying tribute to a man who had been considered the best of the best among his peers.
The programme, made and broadcast by Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
was aired once and has never been repeated or made commercially available in any format. However, the segment of Bruce Forsyth's piano playing and dancing was used in a compilation programme "Heroes Of Comedy" made in 1994 for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
See also
- Eric MorecambeEric MorecambeJohn Eric Bartholomew OBE , known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the award-winning double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death of a heart attack in 1984...
- Ernie WiseErnie WiseErnest Wiseman OBE , known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became an institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials.-Career:Ernest Wiseman was the eldest of five children, and changed...
- British Heart FoundationBritish Heart FoundationThe British Heart Foundation is a charity organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart diseases in humans.-Foundation:...
- Two Of A Kind (1961)Two Of A Kind (1961)Two of a Kind was an early TV series for comedy duo Morecambe and Wise. It ran from 1961 to 1968 on ATV.-History:On the back of success on stage in their double act in 1961 the comic partnership of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were offered a series for ATV by empresario Lew Grade. Paired with...
- Morecambe & Wise Show (1968) EpisodesMorecambe & Wise Show (1968) EpisodesThis is an episode summary of British TV comedy show The Morecambe & Wise Show.The nine series of 50 minute programmes produced between 1968 and 1976 by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are generally considered to be their best output; From series two all are penned by Eddie Braben these programmes...
- Morecambe & Wise Show (1978) EpisodesMorecambe & Wise Show (1978) EpisodesThe Morecambe & Wise Show is generally considered as the output of Morecambe & Wise after they parted company with the BBC following their record-breaking 1977 Christmas Show.-Special 1978:...
- The Complete Morecambe & WiseThe Complete Morecambe & WiseThis is a complete list of Morecambe & Wise's appearances.-Original appearances:* Running Wild first television appearance of the double act, not well received...