Unearthed school reports for comedy legend Eric Morecambe reveal teachers branded him noisy and a time waster - but saw flair for entertainment years before his success
Comedy legend Eric Morecambe was described as noisy and a time waster by his teachers in school reports, but they did note his flair for entertainment even at a young age.
Comedy legend Eric Morecambe was described as noisy and a time waster by his teachers in school reports, but they did note his flair for entertainment even at a young age.
The notes are part of a gigantic horde of personal items which are set to fetch £250,000 at auction.
The legendary entertainer rarely threw anything away meaning the collection includes props and exclusive party invitations from rock stars and ex-Prime Ministers.
Morecambe received an OBE and mulitple TV BAFTA Awards after forging one of the most successful comedy partnerships in British entertainment history with Ernie Wise.
Morecambe, who died aged 58 in 1984, never threw anything away - leading to the discovery of a treasure trove of trinkets from throughout his life at his family home by auctioneers.
The huge auction, which includes everything from his early school reports to party invitations from former Prime Minister Harold Wilson and rock legend Mick Jagger, amounts to over 800 lots.
Hansons auction of The Eric Morecambe Collection, set to take place next month, is so large the venue of the sale had to be upgraded to a football stadium.
Eric Morecambe received an OBE and mulitple TV BAFTA Awards alongside his comedy partner Ernie Wise
A report card where his teachers described Morecamne as a noisy troublemaker
However as a boy, many of Morecambes schoolteachers reprimanded him in reports as a noisy troublemaker.
The school reports were discovered in Erics study in the Morecambe family home, Brachefield, in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said they show that many of his schoolteachers had no inkling of his future comedic prowess whilst he wasted time in their lessons or sometimes didnt even show up at all.
Eric, born John Eric Bartholemew, attended Lancaster Road Junior School and Euston Road Senior School in Morecambe.
It was the seaside town from which he took his showbiz name - but didnt learn much at either by his own admission.
The reports are expected to sell for as much as £600.
Other fascinating lots include Morecambes famous ventriloquist dummy, Charlie - estimated to sell for as much as £3,000 - and a portrait of the late comedian by Richard Stone, which is expected to sell for as much as £8,000.
Many people hang on to their school reports, so we shouldnt be surprised Eric kept his, Mr Hanson explained.
He never threw anything away. Thats one reason why The Eric Morecambe Collection is so remarkable.
Millions tuned into annually to Morecambe and Wises annual Christmas show in the 1970s and 80s
His report card from Lancaster Road Council School rates him 45th out of 49th in his class
On a report card, teacher said he was a trier and working hard but said his written work was poor and untidy
His study brimmed with fascinating papers and correspondence from the great and the good including royalty and comedy legends such as Ronnie Barker and Spike Milligan.
We came across party invitations from former prime minister Harold Wilson and rock legend Mick Jagger - and Erics school reports. You cant help but smile when you read them.
He was rapped for poor and untidy written work, being fond of wasting time and not turning up for lessons.
In fact, his 1936 report from Lancaster Road Council School in Morecambe, Lancashire, was so bad it was returned with a stern message from his mum Sadie Bartholomew.
Morecambes mother had written in her message: I am disgusted with this report and would be obliged if you would make him do more homework as I would see he did it here, S. Bartholomew.
His senior school report from 1940, when Eric was 14 and already treading the boards, reads: A trier, but very untidy in written work.
Also fond of wasting time; Neatness could be better; Absent most of term. Appeared to be trying hard to improve.
However, glimmers of the future star did shine through, with some general remarks including comment on his flair for entertaining.
This boy was of cheerful disposition and willing to help in house matters, the report continues.
Morecambe and Wise were Britains kings of comedy, fronting 175 shows over a 22-year TV career.
Eric Morecambe passed away aged 58 in 1984, Eric Wise died 15 years later at the age of 73
Eric Morecambes mother wrote a note saying I am disgusted with this report and would be obliged if you would make him do more homework as I would see he did it here, S. Bartholomew.
At times too noisy, and unfortunately not a credit to his house in educational standard.
Keen worker at school concerts, having a flair for entertaining in the modern song and dance style.
Mr Hanson continued: In his early teens, Eric was already carving out a stage career.
The sale includes his 1939 Licence for the Employment of Children in Entertainment.
But teachers were oblivious to the genius in their midst.
When he was only nine, Erics 1936 Lancaster Road Council School report placed him in 45th position out of 49 pupils.
He had no marks for six subjects - recitation, grammar, geography, history, science and drawing.
He gained 55 marks out of a possible 240. His top mark, 13 out of 20, was for reading followed by 10 out of 20 for mental arithmetic.
Eric Morecambe, Michael Aspel and Ernie Wise on the set of Eric And Ernies Variety Days
The legendary entertainer rarely threw anything awayincluding his school report cards
Some of the young Morecambes teachers remarks stated that he was absent for most of his exams.
At the age of 12, his 1939 senior school report gave him 198 marks out of 350, and he was ranked in 10th position in a class of 38.
He had 18 marks out of 50 for maths, 47 out of 60 for English and 14 out of 20 for geography.
The rankings are interesting, Mr Hanson said.
Not only were pupils placed in order of overall competence, they were ranked for each subject.
Imagine the outrage today. Back then you knew if you were the school dunce and your parents were sent a report to prove it.
In 1939 Eric was second best in class for geography, fifth for English and ninth for maths.
The teachers remarks had a dash of positivity: "With a little more care, Eric could be one of the best scholars. If he concentrates on mathematics, drawing and general neatness he will have better results next term. I think he can do it".
He certainly could do it, especially when it came to creating comedy magic, performing on stage and in front of a TV camera.
Morecambe met Ernie Wise when he was 14 at the Nottingham Empire in 1940
The noisy lad who didnt turn up for lessons brought sunshine to the world.
Though school didnt appeal, he truly grafted to make it as an entertainer..
Another strange item in Hansons auction is a partially-eaten lollipop from around 1940, which was used as a stage prop by a 14-year-old Morecambe in a revue called Youth Takes a Bow at the Nottingham Empire.
During the show he met fellow performer Ernest Wiseman.
The pair became good friends and started their historic double act that would soon become a household name.
You cant help but wonder what his old teachers thought as they watched Erics star rise, Mr Hanson added.
If anyone has ever been hurt by criticism in their formative years, let this give them hope.
School and Eric were no match made in Heaven but he followed his heart and became a national treasure.
Hansons sale of The Eric Morecambe Collection will take place at Burton Albion FCs Pirelli Stadium in Burton-on-Trent, Staffs., between January 10 and 11, 2025.