Duo 'the next Morecambe and Wise'

The BBC are hoping they’ve found the next Morecambe and Wise… in the guise of a double act known for impersonating the famous duo.

Hamish McColl and Sean Foley shot to prominence with their award-winning West End homage to Eric and Ern, The Play What I Wrote.

And now they have recorded a one-off pilot episode of a prime-time variety show, titled This Way Up, which the corporation hopes could rival the success of ITV’s Ant and Dec.

The test edition, written by and starring the duo who go by the name The Right Size, includes sketches, music, dancing and guests including Will Young and Sir Roger Moore.

A BBC spokesman said no transmission date had yet been set, and could release no further details.

However, an unnamed insider told London’s Evening Standard: “Sean and Hamish have the most amazing double-act going – it just comes naturally.

“It’s an indefinable quality that Morecambe and Wise themselves had.”

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, The Play What I Wrote won an Olivier award in London before touring Britain and transferring to Broadway, where it was nominated for a Tony award.

Published: 25 Mar 2005