Tributes to Eric Morecambe widow after death at 97

Joan Bartholomew died after a short illness, her family said

Tributes have been paid to the widow of the comedian Eric Morecambe, who has died after a short illness.

Joan Bartholomew, who lived with the entertainer in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, died "peacefully" on her 97th birthday, her family has announced.

Her son Gary Morecambe said: "Without her there would never have been the Morecambe & Wise we knew and loved.

"She was the engine room that made the whole machine work."

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were married to Joan (left) and Doreen up until their deaths in 1984 and 1999 respectively

Mrs Bartholomew married the famed comedian, known for his double act with Ernie Wise, in Margate in 1952.

She was described as a "devoted wife" to Morecambe until his death nearly 40 years ago in May 1984, at the age of 58.

Her husband was born John Eric Bartholomew in Morecambe, Lancashire, and took his stage name from his hometown.

The couple had three children - a daughter Gail and sons Gary and Steven.

Born on 26 March 1927, she died on her 97th birthday on Tuesday.

The couple attended the 31st birthday celebrations of King Charles III

In 2015, Mrs Bartholomew was awarded an OBE for charitable services in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

In 2003, she became the patron of the Luton Town Supporters' Trust, the football club being her late husband's favourite team, and remained in that role until her death.

LISTEN: Archive interview with Eric Morecambe's widow, Joan Bartholomew

Tony Murray, chair of the trust, said: "She's been our patron since the inception of the trust and it’s very sad news, lovely lady, her support meant a lot to Luton fans and she will be missed."

Broadcaster Nick Owen interviewed Mrs Bartholomew on breakfast television programme Good Morning Britain.

The presenter also interviewed her husband in 1984, shortly before his death, and had remained in touch with the family over the years since.

He said: "Joan was just a lovely women, she had such charm and was such a pleasant person to be with. Very fond of her.

"I’ll never forget a lovely lunch I had with her and my wife Vicky, her family and Watford chairman Graham Taylor with loads of laughter."

Doreen and Joan unveiled a plaque to commemorate their late husbands in the hall of fame at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, in 1999

Mrs Bartholomew told the BBC in September 2018 that she was still stopped by Morecambe and Wise fans while shopping in Harpenden.

She said: "People don't seem to tire of them, they're everlasting really."

The comedy duo produced 71 episodes of their BBC series The Morecambe & Wise Show between 1968 and 1977.

They were best known for their Christmas shows, the last of which attracted 28 million viewers.

Mrs Bartholomew said the family would watch them together as they were broadcast on Christmas Day.

"Eric didn't like me to know too much about them as he wanted my reaction to be the same as everybody else.

"We really did sit and watch seriously, even Eric laughed at the shows, I rather enjoyed that actually."