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Eric Morecambe 'lookalike' contest that even women can enter

Paul BurnellNorth West
BBC Eric Morecambe clowns for the camera wearing his glasses off centre.BBC
The contest organisers wants to capture the essence of the performer

An Eric Morecambe lookalike contest with a modern twist takes place later in the comedian's hometown.

But if you are not a balding man of a certain age with specs, do not worry, as organiser and local artist Anthony D Padgett says the competition has a loose remit, adding even women can enter.

"It's a reimagining of Eric in a way capturing the spirit and essence of the man," Padgett said.

The contest begins at noon in Morecambe's Winter Gardens with the verdict announced three hours later.

Anthony D Padgett Anthony D Padgett has a bright red PVC shirt, a trilby and spectacles and stands in front of the Eric Morecambe statue on Morecambe prom. Anthony D Padgett
Padgett hopes the contest will bring people together as Morecambe's seafront statue does in the seaside town where he grew up

Comedy double act Morecambe and Wise were a national institution in the 1970s with their Christmas Show on BBC One eagerly anticipated by millions of viewers.

Padgett said: "Eric Bartholomew, who adopted the stage name Eric Morecambe, was from Morecambe and used to be a judge in beauty competitions at the Lido swimming pool next to the Midland Hotel.

"So we thought about in the 21st Century, what would that look like? What would a beauty competition look like?

Still from Morecambe and Wise's celebrated Christmas Show sketch where conductor Andre Previn (far right)
Morecambe's good natured irreverent humour was his essence, says Padgett

"So we flipped it on its head and it's become about Eric Morecambe lookalikes, but a 'remix', people reimagining that identity themselves in the 21st Century in a world of artificial intelligence."

He added: "Everyone is welcome and it's 18 plus. You have to bring ID that you live in Morecambe and proof of address and we have judges from the Winter Gardens and from local residents who will decide who's the winner.

"The statue of Eric on the seafront brings people together and so what we're looking for is a person that has that charisma in how they present themselves and bringing people together."

Padgett, 57, remembers Morecambe and Wise on the TV as a child but admits some of the jokes went over his head.

So what is the essence of Eric Morecambe according to Padgett?

"Irreverence, humour, ability to poke fun at himself, ability to poke fun at other people without offending them. But you can't see Eric without Ernie [Wise] really.

"So maybe next time we'll have an Ernie lookalike competition."

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