I was asked to do Morecambe & Wise’s first show for Thames Television. That was the one that I appeared in as a French maid.

Later, for one of the musical numbers I agreed to do for Eric and Ernie, I had to jump into a tank of water. I am terrified of water! Despite this, I jumped in; it was only four feet deep – but I had to go under the water! I was terrified. I didn’t tell them until afterwards. Eric loved that and gave me a big hug and burst out laughing. They then told me that no one else would agree to do it!

For the Christmas 1983 special we did a Mack and Mabel Keystone Cops sequence with Eric and Ernie both dressed as policemen. I was at the top of this ladder. One minute I could see both Eric and Ernie below. The next I could only see Ernie. Eric had collapsed and the paramedics came and took him to hospital.

When Eric got better he came back and, bless him, finished the show. I greatly admired him for that. He came back and carried on as if nothing had happened. I remember him saying: ‘Anything to give you lot a tea break!’

I am also so proud that I got to do the skip-dance with both Morecambe & Wise at the end of one of their shows.

They broke the mould when they made him. He was a one-off. A consummate professional and I loved him so much.