Eric Morecambe's widow Joan has died 'peacefully' on her 97th birthday following a short illness, almost 40 years after her comic great husband passed away.
She married the famed comedian, known for his double act Morecambe and Wise alongside Ernie Wise, in Margate in 1952.
Joan was described as a 'devoted wife' to Eric until his death 40 years ago in May 1984 at the age of 58.
The couple shared three children together - a daughter Gail and sons Gary and Steven.
A statement issued on behalf of her children said: 'It is with great sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we must share the news that our mother, Joan, has passed away peacefully at the age of 97 after a short illness.
'Our family kindly requests some privacy during this time while we grieve our sad loss.'
Eric Morecambe's widow Joan, pictured in 2014, has died nearly 40 years after her comedy legend husband passed away
Joan had three children with the comedy star who died 40 years ago this May. Here they are pictured at Heathrow Airport in 1984
The pair pictured together at Leeds General Infirmary following Eric's heart attack in 1968
Born on March 26 1927, she died on her 97th birthday on Tuesday. In 2015, Joan was made an OBE for charitable services in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.
She was also the founder and president of the Lady Taverners, part of the Lord's Taverners youth cricket and disability sports charity, from 1987 to 1992.
News of her death emerged the day after her 97th birthday when popular social media account Classic British TV posted: 'I have received the somber news that Joan Morecambe, the widow of Eric Morecambe, has passed away at the age of 97.'
Comic icon Eric credited his wife, who was also known as Joan Bartholomew, for providing him with the strong foundation he needed as his career rocketed beyond his imagination.
Morecambe and Wise, who died in 1999 aged 73, are among the most popular and enduring comedy stars in British TV history.
In 2016, burglars raided the home of Joan as she unveiled a new statue of the legendary comic.
Family believed the thieves may have targeted her house in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, after discovering she was away due to social media.
The thieves forced their way in and stole watches and jewellery worth thousands of pounds.
This was after an 8ft tall monument of the Morecambe-born comedian and Ernie Wise, who died in 1999, was created by Graham Ibbeson who also sculpted the Eric Morecambe statue on Morecambe seafront.
Eric Morecambe (middle left) and nd Ernie Wise (far right) Snapped with their wives Joan (far left) and Doreen (middle right)
Eric and Joan pictured having a dance at Grosvenor House in February 1982
Joan (bottom left) and Doreen (top right) did not get along during their husband's careers
The couple married in Margate in 1952, having their reception in the Bulls Head pub
Eric claimed for him it was love at first sight when he met Joan. He is reported to have told the girl who introduced them: 'That's the girl I'm going to marry'
Eric reads get well cards in hospital after recovering from a heart attack
In 2021, a poignant new book revealed how Ernie and Eric's wives didn't get on, which meant the double act never socialised outside of work.
As Ernie got married to dancer Doreen Blythe and Eric to Joan, it reportedly brought fresh problems to the dynamic.
'The boys never socialised because the wives didn't get on,' remembers ventriloquist John Bouchier, who toured extensively with Eric and Ernie in the 1970s.
'Ernie's wife thought that he was the star and that Eric couldn't manage without him and so consequently, although they were electric on stage, they never mixed.'
In 2009, Doreen told an interviewer that when she and Ernie first began dating, Eric was always there, too. 'We never could get rid of him,' she said. 'He was always in the way. I used to joke that we'd have to find a girl for Eric, otherwise we'd be lumbered with him for ever.'
Eric and Joan wasted very little time in starting a family, their first child, Gail, arriving ten months after the wedding.
Taking his family responsibilities seriously, Eric learned to drive. But as soon as finances allowed, he employed drivers so he could arrive for work as calm as it was possible for someone as naturally stress-stricken as him to be.
Ernie and Doreen took a decision early on not to follow the same path as Eric and Joan. Family life was not to be for them.
After Wise's death in 1999, Doreen explained it had been a question of fidelity. If she travelled with him and they kept up their sex life, he'd never be tempted to stray.
Joan pictured next to the statue of her late husband Eric Morecambe
The statue was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in the comic's home town in Lancashire
The couple were together for 32 years until Eric's death, aged 58, in May 1984
Joan and daughter Gail Morecambe stand beneath a blue plaque unveiled at Teddington Studios in Middlesex
Joan (middle) pictured alongside her children Gary (left) and Gail (right) in the garden of the family home
In Joan's most recent interview in 2021 she revealed that her husband was worried that his comedy would be forgotten after his death.
She said he would be 'over the moon' to know that Morecambe and Wise sketches are still fondly remembered.
In an earlier interview at the home she shared with husband manhua Eric in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, the former Miss Margate beauty queen told how she first met him while they were both on tour.
She said: 'There was nothing between us at first, just normal touring people helping each other out. He was due to play Margate and I was going to Morecambe.
'He said I should stay with his parents and I told him to stay with mine. The only problem was, when he turned up at my parents pub, he brought half of Billy Cotton's band with him!
'Somehow they all managed to fit in, that's how it was back then, very friendly and always helping each other.'
However, Eric claimed for him it was love at first sight. He is reported to have told the girl who introduced them: 'That's the girl I'm going to marry.'
The couple were married, on December 11th, 1952. They were together for 32 years until Eric's death, aged 58, in May 1984.
Eric Bartholomew was born in Morecambe in 1926 and took his stage name of Eric Morecambe from the town of his birth.
He is renowned for his double act with Ernie Wise, who died in 1999.
Morecambe and Wise are among Britain's most loved entertainers of all-time and their 'The Morecambe and Wise Show' TV specials remain enduringly popular today.
The Eric Morecambe Statue was unveiled on Morecambe seafront in 1999 and is a hugely popular attraction for visitors to the town and residents alike.
She married the famed comedian, known for his double act Morecambe and Wise alongside Ernie Wise, in Margate in 1952.Joan was described as a 'devoted wife' to Eric until his death 40 years ago in May 1984 at the age of 58.
The couple shared three children together - a daughter Gail and sons Gary and Steven.
A statement issued on behalf of her children said: 'It is with great sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we must share the news that our mother, Joan, has passed away peacefully at the age of 97 after a short illness.
'Our family kindly requests some privacy during this time while we grieve our sad loss.'
Eric Morecambe's widow Joan, pictured in 2014, has died nearly 40 years after her comedy legend husband passed away
Joan had three children with the comedy star who died 40 years ago this May. Here they are pictured at Heathrow Airport in 1984
The pair pictured together at Leeds General Infirmary following Eric's heart attack in 1968
Born on March 26 1927, she died on her 97th birthday on Tuesday. In 2015, Joan was made an OBE for charitable services in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.
She was also the founder and president of the Lady Taverners, part of the Lord's Taverners youth cricket and disability sports charity, from 1987 to 1992.
News of her death emerged the day after her 97th birthday when popular social media account Classic British TV posted: 'I have received the somber news that Joan Morecambe, the widow of Eric Morecambe, has passed away at the age of 97.'
Comic icon Eric credited his wife, who was also known as Joan Bartholomew, for providing him with the strong foundation he needed as his career rocketed beyond his imagination.
Morecambe and Wise, who died in 1999 aged 73, are among the most popular and enduring comedy stars in British TV history.
In 2016, burglars raided the home of Joan as she unveiled a new statue of the legendary comic.
Family believed the thieves may have targeted her house in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, after discovering she was away due to social media.
The thieves forced their way in and stole watches and jewellery worth thousands of pounds.
This was after an 8ft tall monument of the Morecambe-born comedian and Ernie Wise, who died in 1999, was created by Graham Ibbeson who also sculpted the Eric Morecambe statue on Morecambe seafront.
Eric Morecambe (middle left) and nd Ernie Wise (far right) Snapped with their wives Joan (far left) and Doreen (middle right)
Eric and Joan pictured having a dance at Grosvenor House in February 1982
Joan (bottom left) and Doreen (top right) did not get along during their husband's careers
The couple married in Margate in 1952, having their reception in the Bulls Head pub
Eric claimed for him it was love at first sight when he met Joan. He is reported to have told the girl who introduced them: 'That's the girl I'm going to marry'
Eric reads get well cards in hospital after recovering from a heart attack
In 2021, a poignant new book revealed how Ernie and Eric's wives didn't get on, which meant the double act never socialised outside of work.
As Ernie got married to dancer Doreen Blythe and Eric to Joan, it reportedly brought fresh problems to the dynamic.
'The boys never socialised because the wives didn't get on,' remembers ventriloquist John Bouchier, who toured extensively with Eric and Ernie in the 1970s.
'Ernie's wife thought that he was the star and that Eric couldn't manage without him and so consequently, although they were electric on stage, they never mixed.'
In 2009, Doreen told an interviewer that when she and Ernie first began dating, Eric was always there, too. 'We never could get rid of him,' she said. 'He was always in the way. I used to joke that we'd have to find a girl for Eric, otherwise we'd be lumbered with him for ever.'
Eric and Joan wasted very little time in starting a family, their first child, Gail, arriving ten months after the wedding.
Taking his family responsibilities seriously, Eric learned to drive. But as soon as finances allowed, he employed drivers so he could arrive for work as calm as it was possible for someone as naturally stress-stricken as him to be.
Ernie and Doreen took a decision early on not to follow the same path as Eric and Joan. Family life was not to be for them.
After Wise's death in 1999, Doreen explained it had been a question of fidelity. If she travelled with him and they kept up their sex life, he'd never be tempted to stray.
Joan pictured next to the statue of her late husband Eric Morecambe
The statue was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in the comic's home town in Lancashire
The couple were together for 32 years until Eric's death, aged 58, in May 1984
Joan and daughter Gail Morecambe stand beneath a blue plaque unveiled at Teddington Studios in Middlesex
Joan (middle) pictured alongside her children Gary (left) and Gail (right) in the garden of the family home
In Joan's most recent interview in 2021 she revealed that her husband was worried that his comedy would be forgotten after his death.
She said he would be 'over the moon' to know that Morecambe and Wise sketches are still fondly remembered.
In an earlier interview at the home she shared with husband manhua Eric in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, the former Miss Margate beauty queen told how she first met him while they were both on tour.
She said: 'There was nothing between us at first, just normal touring people helping each other out. He was due to play Margate and I was going to Morecambe.
'He said I should stay with his parents and I told him to stay with mine. The only problem was, when he turned up at my parents pub, he brought half of Billy Cotton's band with him!
'Somehow they all managed to fit in, that's how it was back then, very friendly and always helping each other.'
However, Eric claimed for him it was love at first sight. He is reported to have told the girl who introduced them: 'That's the girl I'm going to marry.'
The couple were married, on December 11th, 1952. They were together for 32 years until Eric's death, aged 58, in May 1984.
Eric Bartholomew was born in Morecambe in 1926 and took his stage name of Eric Morecambe from the town of his birth.
He is renowned for his double act with Ernie Wise, who died in 1999.
Morecambe and Wise are among Britain's most loved entertainers of all-time and their 'The Morecambe and Wise Show' TV specials remain enduringly popular today.
The Eric Morecambe Statue was unveiled on Morecambe seafront in 1999 and is a hugely popular attraction for visitors to the town and residents alike.