I remember watching The Morecambe & Wise Show with my grandmother, back when Eric would pretend to leave the studio in his cap and coat.

But my earliest memory of Eric is of the Cossack sketch with the horse and cart. As Ernie serenaded the female guest star, Eric as the driver was repeatedly pulled off the carriage by the unseen horse. It got funnier every time he did it. I was breathless.

Back then, TV seemed like a magical world – and Eric was a huge part of it.

In some respects, Eric was one of the first alternative comedians, like Tommy Cooper. He played with the absurd and deconstructed convention. He gave the private joke mass appeal. I don’t know a contemporary comedian who isn’t influenced by Eric Morecambe.

Eric was basically silly but with immense intelligence. It’s impossible not to find him funny, he exuded comedy.

Last Christmas, I watched Morecambe & Wise’s 1972 Christmas special. It was so entertaining and outshines most contemporary comedy programmes.

I toured with Steve Coogan in 1998 and I remember we performed on the same stage of a theatre that Eric and Ernie once performed at. It was a good feeling.

I met Ernie at the BAFTAs and I said to him how much Morecambe & Wise had inspired me. It probably didn’t mean much to him, but I loved having the opportunity to tell him; they are legends.

I used to think it was amazing that Eric smoked a pipe. I remember seeing him on a repeat edition of the chat show Parkinson and saying: ‘Oh, he really does smoke a pipe; it’s not just a comedy prop!’

Eric’s appearance on Parkinson confirmed that he was just as funny in real life. I remember he told a story about how he had a heart attack so hilariously. It’s extremely poignant to see it now.

Of all the programmes I remember made by Thames Television I remember The Morecambe & Wise Show the most.

Eric had funny bones. He was funny to his very soul.