PREVIEW: Morecambe & Wise The Lost Tapes, ITV

Morecambe & Wise are Britain’s undisputed kings of comedy, having fronted 175 shows over a 22-year TV career. In their 1970s heyday they regularly pulled in more than 20 million viewers every week, but one of their classic shows hasn’t been seen since October 1970 and was believed to have been lost forever.

Then in 2020, Eric Morecambe’s family made a remarkable discovery. While looking for paperwork, Eric's son found an old film can in the attic. Its contents were a mystery because the label had been torn off. When the film was checked by experts, they were amazed by what flickered into view: an episode unseen for 50 years.

Now viewers will have the opportunity to view this delightful slice of classic comedy once again, alongside Eric and Ernie’s celebrity fans, former guest stars and family.

This show features the funniest sketches from the newly unearthed programme and includes rare archive film of the duo at work, to remind us why Eric and Ernie are our best-loved comedians.

The Lost Episode was written by their long-time script-wizard Eddie Braben and played to 14million viewers. Though it was never repeated, the episode helped pave the way for the duo's ascent to comedy legend status, and a series of star-studded hit TV shows which the nation still holds in high esteem.

Airs Wednesday on ITV.