Glastonbury, Elton John, Morecambe & Wise

Elton John Sets Glastonbury And Twitter Alight

I don't think Morecambe & Wise ever played Glastonbury but if that is the case they are probably the only household names never to play the Festival, which is on this weekend. One of the highlights of this year's festival, however, did play the Morecambe & Wise Show. Elton John was a very sporting guest on a classic episode back in 1977.

It was, as they say, a different world back then. The clip, amazingly isn't actually on YouTube, but it can be found online here. Other guests in the show may or may not be familar to the modern viewer. Penelope Keith was a big star from The Good Life. Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier from Dad's Army were on. Angharad Rees is probably less well-remembered. 

But anyway, back to Elton, who came on in a Watford scarf (he was a longtime fan and for a while the club's chairman) and a dirty old raincoat like a Columbo tribute act. Underneath he was wearing a smart tuxedo and as he sat down at the piano Ernie Wise accused him of being late and Eric Morecambe asked him what his name was. Eventually John finds himself attempting to teach the comic duo how to sing melody and counter melody without much success.

Long before Vic and Bob had stars on Shooting Stars all the big names appeared with Morecambe and Wise. The recently departed Glenda Jackson famously played Cleopatra.

Elton was clearly a good sport at the time putting up with their ribbing of him. Let's see if he's a good sport at Glastonbury this Sunday evening when he plays his first ever UK rock festival

Glastonbury coverage is all over the BBC during the Glastonbury Festival

Pictured: Lauren Laverne, Jack Saunders, Jo Whiley, Clara Amfo

Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston/Matt Burlem

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