It will begin performances at the Roses Theatre in Tewksbury Jan. 20, then continue to venues in Kendal, Barnsley, Chesterfield, Swindon, Maidstone, Worcester, Burnley, Bury, Bracknell, Tunbridge Wells, Durham, Lancaster, Pontypridd, Leicester, Redditch, Camarthen, Blackwood, Basildon, Harlow, Guildford, London's North Finchley, York and Liverpool, concluding March 12.

Morecambe had an enduring professional stage and television partnership with Ernie Wise that in 1977 saw their annual Christmas television special attract 29 million viewers – half the entire population of the U.K. It only came to an end because of Morecambe's early death, aged 58, in 1984.

Written by Tim Whitnall, performed by Bob Golding and directed by Guy Masterson, the play that celebrates his life and career was originally produced at the Edinburgh Fringe before transferring to the West End's Duchess Theatre in December 2009. The West End run was produced by Michael Edwards and Carole Winter for MJE Productions, Anna Murphy for Feather Productions and Guy Masterson for Theatre Tours International; the tour is being produced by Murphy and Masterson only.

In a press statement, Eric's daughter Gail has commented, "This show is a great homage to my father and to his relationship with Ernie. I left the theatre feeling privileged to be Eric Morecambe's daughter. He was a man that in his lifetime generated so much good will and love, at some personal cost. Now all these years on Bob Golding's performance and Tim Whitnall's writing, in a completely unsentimental way, fill the theatre with good will, love and for me at least, a stinging nostalgia of oh so happy times."

For full tour dates and booking details, visit www.morecambetheplay.com