It's more than a quarter of a century since Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise's double act was stopped in its tracks by Morecambe's untimely death - which, in the world of showbiz, is certainly enough time to be forgotten, usurped or found to be desperately unfashionable by a new generation of viewers and performers. But the pair retain enough comic sparkle to put most of their successors in the shade.

Eric and Ernie is a biopic that follows the pair from their beginnings on Jack Hylton's youth theatre circuit up until the brink of TV success in the 1950s. Written by Peter Bowker, and starring Bryan Dick as Ernie Wise, Daniel Rigby as Eric Morecambe and Victoria Wood as Morecambe's ambitious, plain-talking mother Sadie, it's a wonderful piece of drama: warm-hearted, clever, beautifully acted and funny enough to make your cheeks ache.

'You don't become a national treasure overnight'

Victoria Wood's new project tells the story of Morecambe and Wise's troubled early years. "You don't become a national treasure overnight", she says.

Victoria Wood tells all about Eric and Ernie

Victoria Wood insists her latest TV venture, which delves into the early career of Morecambe and Wise, "will not be one of those dark dramas."

Eric, Ernie... and Victoria

Victoria Wood has brought the story of the double act's early years to the screen - and she plays Morecambe's mother. Gerard Gilbert meets her.

Video: Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick interview

Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick, who play comic duo Morecambe & Wise in Victoria Wood's drama, say the story of their formative years will surprise audiences.

Pat and Margaret (Radio 4, 3.15pm) is a radio remake of Victoria Wood's bittersweet comedy about two sisters reunited after 27 years on a live television show. One is a toxic Hollywood star; the other works as a waitress in motorway service station. Sarah Lancashire and Imelda Staunton give knock-out performances here, but it's maybe not one to listen to with your siblings unless you all really get on.

Video: Behind the scenes of Morecambe and Wise TV drama

Morecambe and Wise are to return to our screens in a TV drama about how the comedians became famous.

Eric and Ernie stars the likes of Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves.

The BBC's David Sillito went behind the scenes to meet some of the cast.

Only something special could nudge Victoria Wood out of stand-up exile, and this gig in aid of the British Heart Foundation is certainly a very good reason indeed. It may be a decade since she's performed as a stand-up, but you'd never guess, and she's as sharp as ever. For the other ladies on the bill, who include Jo Brand, Julia Davis, Katy Brand,
Isy Suttie, and Roisin Conaty, she's still quite an inspiration.

Roisin Conaty Interview

One of the acts in Victoria Wood's Angina Monologues, Roisin Conaty won the Foster's Comedy Award for Best Newcomer this year in Edinburgh. She spoke to us about what it's like to work with Victoria...

It's a girls' night out at London's Theatre Royal as Victoria Wood is joined on stage by some very funny ladies in aid of The British Heart Foundation.

While raising awareness about heart disease in women (see, the show's title makes sense now), the Queen of Comedy and her cohorts will tickle our funny bones with stand-up, sketches and music.

The line-up includes Nighty Night's Julia Davis; Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine from BBC Four's Getting On; Jessica Hynes of Spaced fame; rising star Andi Oshi; and the two Brands, Jo and Katy. Not Russell Brand's new pop star wife - the other one. The one with the Big Ass.