Blazer from Eric Morcambe's final performance returned to Tewkesbury theatre

Eric Morcambe's blazer from his final performance has been rediscovered as part of The Roses Theatre's 50th anniversary celebrations.

The national treasure performed his last-ever show at the Tewkesbury theatre in 1984, where he suffered a heart attack in the wings after his sixth curtain call. He passed away at Cheltenham General Hospital shortly afterwards.

The blazer which he wore on stage during that performance has now been returned to The Roses after its owner, Simon Carnall, offered to loan it to the theatre to display as part of its '50 Years of Stage & Stories' project.

He said: 'I remember the moment when Eric’s death was announced on TV so well. Pictures of Eric wearing his blazer on stage that night are iconic to me.

'I later purchased the blazer at the very auction where Robbie Williams purchased Eric’s glasses for £20,000. Straight away my thought was to take it back to the Roses stage to say a final goodbye in its 50th year.'

The theatre has been encouraging members of the public to offer up their own memories and mementoes from the last 50 years, with Eric's blazer being one of the major finds so far.

The Roses Theatre's director, Jessica Brewster, said: 'Community theatres like ours are often at the very heart of our local neighbourhoods and arts scenes. Our '50 Years of Stage & Stories' project has been about marking that history of making a real difference. We’ve been amazed at what we’ve found.

'We’ve had so many people get in touch to build a picture of the theatre’s history.

'From the lighting technician tasked with following Prince Anne around the stage back in 1975, to married couples who met in our cafe and people who saw their very favourite film with their grandmother here as a child, what we’re putting together is a picture of how crucial a theatre is to its community.'

The project's finale is a week-long exhibition of all the gathered memories due to take place in November, with a sneak preview on the theatre's official 50th anniversary on Thursday 30 October 2025.

Members of the public who want to share their memories of the theatre's history can submit them via The Roses Theatre's website until Monday 31 July 2025.