It has been confirmed that a previously unpublished episode of Moorecambe and Wise, will air in color for the first-ever Christmas Day broadcast.
Eric Moorecambe’s father Gary discovered the footage, which dates back to 1970.
BBC News reports that the original 45-minute episode was wiped off the station in order to allow them to re-use it.
Old favourite: A previously unseen episode of Moorecambe and Wise will be broadcast in colour for the first time on Christmas Day, it has been confirmed
Gary Moorecambe 65 said that this episode marks a golden age in television’.
This episode, which has been recolored will be broadcast on BBC Two at 7:45pm on Christmas Day.
The Moorecambe & Wise Show began broadcasting on BBC Two in 1968 and later moved to BBC One with its Christmas specials garnering over 20million viewers.
Gary Moorecambe found this episode last year while looking for scripts in his attic.
History: The long-lost footage was discovered by Eric Moorecambe’s son Gary in the attic of his mother’s house and dates from 1970
He came across seven unlabelled canisters and had them checked by experts.
This episode was originally produced by the comedian pair for BBC One in October 1980.
Because it was believed that it had been lost, the tape was not made available for viewing when season 4 was released in 2008.
Gary said to the BBC, ‘I did not realize at the time how far the BBC was going to present it. The BBC would colorize it, which is amazing, and it’s now up-to date.
Family: Gary Moorecambe discovered the old episode when he was searching for scripts in the attic of his family home last year
“And what’s even better is the quality and the way the show was presented, where you can clearly see embryonic Morecambe or Wise.”
Eddie Braben will host the show. It will include classic sketches by the comedy legends, along with music by Kenny Ball, Patricia Lambert, and Paul Anka.
Ernie Wise and Eric Morecambe enjoyed an incredible television career that spanned over 175 shows for 22 years.
With their Christmas Special in 1977, they became the country’s favorite double act.
Eric was killed in 1984 and Ernie in 1999.
Success: The Moorecambe & Wise Show began broadcasting on BBC Two in 1968 and later moved to BBC One with its Christmas specials garnering over 20million viewers