Unearthed school report branded comic 'time-waster'

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were among the most popular and enduring comedy stars in British TV history

Unearthed school reports show comedian Eric Morecambe was branded "noisy and fond of wasting time" by his teachers.

The assessments from his former masters at Lancaster Road Junior School and Euston Road Senior School in Morecambe included criticism of the late entertainer's attendance and "poor and untidy written work".

The reports were discovered in Morecambe's study at the family home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

They are set to be sold at auction in January.

A young Eric with a lollipop prop, used in Youth Takes A Bow, which is also being auctioned off

A 1936 report from Lancaster Road was returned with a message from Eric's mother, Sadie Bartholomew, on the back of it.

It read: "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, read: "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."

John Eric Bartholomew changed his stage name to Eric Morecambe

Other reports said Morecambe - who became one of the country's best-known comedians though his partnership with Ernie Wise - had a "cheerful disposition" and was a "keen worker at school concerts, having a flair for entertaining in the modern song and dance style".

One Lancaster Road teacher remarked Morecambe was "absent for most of his exams".

In 1939 he was second best in class for geography, fifth for English and ninth for maths.

The entire contents of the Morecambe family home are to be auctioned by auction house Hansons.