The Ant and Dec of their day, Eric and Ernie performed in Morecambe more than 1,000 times in what has been described as their “spiritual home”.
“The connection between his hometown and his use of Morecambe as his stage name, means there has always been and will continue to be an incredible fondness for Eric,” said David Waddington, chair of the town’s business improvement district.
Though he spent much of his life living in Harpenden, Hertfordshire with his family, Eric was “a proud Northerner, and proud of his roots that chimed with the people of Morecambe and Lancashire”, Waddington said.
“He still has a significant impact on Morecambe, and in fact, whenever there are events taking place relating to his life, it always generates local, regional and national interest,” he added.
“His statue on the promenade is a particular visitor hotspot.”
Unveiled by the Queen in 1999, the larger than life-sized bronze figure shows Eric in one of his characteristic poses, with binoculars around his neck.
Thousands of fans lined the promenade to watch its unveiling.
The statue features some of Eric’s famous sayings – and the names of 103 celebrities who starred alongside him – and took sculptor Graham Ibbeson six years to complete.
Eric’s daughter Gail said it “really does capture something of dad”.
“And it’s not dad being Eric Morecambe, it’s the Morecambe lad that loved birdwatching and being on the seafront,” she said.
“People still go there day and night, and brides go there to have their picture taken.
“It’s very poignant, it’s very special.”