ITV is to broadcast rarely seen footage of comedy legends Morecambe & Wise.

The kings of comedy 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.

Remarkably, The Lost Episode turned out to be their first ever show made for BBC1, dating from 8th October 1970. It came at a crucial time in their career when, after four series on BBC2, they were about to break into the big time. 

The half-hour show introduced their new BBC1 audience to a series of gag-packed routines involving stage curtains, ventriloquism and a toy dog that shoots nerve gas out of its bottom. The duo's long-time collaborator Ann Hamilton plays a nurse in a hospital sketch, looking on as Eric eats all of Ernie's grapes and then uses the empty bag to catch an invisible ball. There's even a daring bedroom sketch in which Eric eavesdrops on a newly wedded couple in the next flat while they make love.

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.

Celebrity Morecambe and Wise fans taking part in this film include its narrator Toby Jones, plus Jonathan Ross, Ben Miller and Eddie Izzard. Joining the celebrities for this unique screening are Eric's wife Joan Morecambe and children Gail and Gary.

Morecambe & Wise: The Lost Tapes, Wednesday, July 28, 9pm.

Buy a vinyl version of an early Morecambe and Wise BBC show here.