TACKLING the part of one of the best known and most loved comedians in entertainment history, Bob Golding has all but made the title role of Tim Whitnall’s Olivier Award-winning Morecambe his own.

It tells the story of Eric Bartholomew from his humble beginnings in Music Hall where he met the then Ernest Wiseman. Still teenagers, they made their debut as Bartholomew and Wise in 1941, before Eric adopted the stage name Morecambe, after the town of his birth, a few months later.

Following the War they began a slow and steady ascent to stardom and at the peak of their popularity, their 1977 BBC Christmas Show attracted more than 28 million viewers.

Directed by Paul Hendy, Morecambe is the moving, often hilarious, story of the man who brought us sunshine. Ahead of a two-night run at Theatre Royal Winchester, tonight and tomorrow night, actor Bob Golding chats to Your Entertainment.

As British comedy icons go, there aren’t many bigger than Eric Morecambe, you could have been on a hiding to nothing so what drew you to the part?

Originally the idea of the project was simply a device to do a one-man play in Edinburgh for the fringe festival. Once the content had been chosen it did become a daunting prospect for us. We wanted to tell the story of one half of Britain’s best-loved comic duos and to the best of our ability and who doesn’t love Eric?

This tour is incredibly significant as this year marks an unbelievable 30 years since Eric’s death. We all feel very strongly that the legacy needs to live on for future generations.

I notice your CV is peppered with parts in shows that mean a lot to a great many people – EastEnders, Thomas the Tank Engine, Noddy, Tweenies – is the popularity of those shows a pressure to actors?

I think any actor will tell you that every job has a certain amount of pressure, but it’s a huge labour of love to be employed in this industry at all, so the biggest pressure is from oneself to simply be the best you can be and hopefully that will lead to more work in the future.

Those jobs you’ve mentioned were actually 85 per cent fun. Tweenies especially. I voiced the characters Milo & Max. It was four years of my life and spent with an incredible team of talented actors, producers, directors and technicians that I was very proud to be part of. I think the show reflected the fun we had. Funerooney!.... as Milo would say. Ahem.

Perhaps it is good preparation for playing such a well-loved and instantly recognisable entertainer as Eric?

Yes I’m sure all the work I did previous to Morecambe helped to prepare me. I certainly don’t treat it as a given. It’s probably the most demanding character I’ve ever played.

How much did you know about Eric before you played him?

I have grown up as a bit of British comedy geek actually. I’ve a huge film collection of British comedy greats from Arthur Askey or Will Hay to Vic and Bob. It’s safe to say I’ve always been a fan of M&W as a consequence, I mean there are few comedy acts that have left such an indelible mark on British comedy history – more than 28 million viewers watched the 1977 Christmas show. In short, a huge fan.

What did you learn about him once you’d got the glasses on?

Actually the discovery of Eric ‘the man’ as opposed to ‘the performer’ was the most interesting bit...although to be frank there was very little difference! It’s well documented that Eric was ‘always on’, which actually made my job harder, how do I perform his frustrations? What was he like when he was stressed or tired or poorly?

There is very little information about that side of him available so I had to rely somewhat on human instinct plus nuggets of info from friends and family members, but generally I think we all know... he was a a good ’un!

I imagine you watched a lot of Eric’s performances, but how did you research the off stage Eric Morecambe?

It’s a fine line between on and off camera. If he popped to the bank for instance, people would regale tales of Eric providing laughs with the pen in the bank or asking a five-year-old boy if he was married!

I think it must have been quite full on to be Eric Morecambe. Obviously, I spent many a day/night watching the shows and especially listening to the radio shows as they were a fantastic guide for his vocal rhythm and tone.

How is the play structured? Is it purely biographical? Do you recreate any of the famous moments from the shows?

Well, without giving too much away, it’s not a history lesson and nor is it a greatest hits show.

We try to tell the story of a unique character who touched the nation’s heart using the medium of solo performance. I play many characters throughout the piece, which Tim has beautifully peppered with songs, laughter and sadness.

I am exhausted by the end ... as I’m sure the man himself was as well.

You must have been delighted with the Olivier Award nominations, but what reactions have you had from Eric’s family, his friends and fans?

Yes, the win [for Best Entertainment] was pretty special too, but that’s certainly not why we attempted the production.

I’ve been very lucky to have spent considerable time with family and friends of Eric, I sometimes have to pinch myself. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive and most of all welcoming. It must be an odd feeling to watch a play about a loved one that tackles the lighter and darker moments of their life, but I’m very proud to call them my friends and I couldn’t be more touched by their reactions.”