Ernie Wise’s widow Doreen has died aged 86.
The iconic entertainer – one half of a legendary duo with fellow comedian Eric Morecambe – passed away in 1999, and now his wife sadly died on Saturday (14.04.18) after a five-year battle with illness.
According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Doreen – whose estate is said to be worth millions due to her late husband’s earnings – is said to have no known living relatives.
Tributes have poured in on social media, with Morris Bright passing on his respects on Twitter.
The chairman of Elstree Studios wrote: "Sorry to hear the widow of Ernie Wise, Doreen has passed away."
BBC radio presenter Georgy Jamieson added: "Very sad to hear confirmation of the death of Ernie Wise’s dear wife Doreen."
The star’s widow never remarried after her husband’s death almost two decades ago, because no one could match her love for him.
She said: "That’s not what I want. No one else could possibly measure up."
The couple met when she was just 15, and married six years later, but decided not to raise a family.
She previously explained: "Ernie always said as soon as children are involved, the wife stays at home and that way trouble lies.
"He knew about the temptations of being on the road. And I knew that I could never have tolerated infidelity. People didn’t understand our desire not to have children. But we never regretted it."
The couple were close to Eric – who died aged 58 in 1984 – and his wife Joan, whom he married six weeks before Ernie and Doreen’s own wedding.
Ernie Wise’s wife Doreen dies aged 86
