In 1939 at just thirteen, after starring in a charity show called "The Nignog Revue" Ernest auditioned and starred alongside Arthur Askey on his ‘Bandwagon’ show. Ernest was an instant hit and was signed on for a longer contract, this was the point at which he changed his name to Ernie Wise.

Ernie met Eric Morecambe in whilst auditioning for the ‘Bandwagon’ show, and crossed paths several times at various shows and revues over the next few years. They struck up a friendship, and began to develop their double act in 1941.

The Second World War separated the duo until their paths crossed again in 1946, when they started working on their double act again. For the next few years the duo appeared on various BBC radio shows before their television debut on the talent show ‘Parade of Youth’ in 1951.

For the next few years the pair became very popular on Northern radio, gaining their own show ‘You're Only Young Once’ in 1953. In 1954 they were offered their first starring roles on TV in the ‘Runnning Wild’ show. Unfortunately the show was a flop, highlighting their inexperience, and showing they had much work to do before becoming the massive entertainers they were destined to become.

For the next few years they resumed their radio and stage shows, honing their act and appearing on several TV shows as guest comedians.

In 1961 they began working on ‘The Morecombe and Wise Show’ for ITV, titled as ‘Two of a Kind’ the show was a huge success, and for the next 7 years gained them the reputation as Britain’s favourite comedy duo.

In 1968 the show moved over to the BBC and ran till 1977 as ‘The Morecambe and Wise Show’ with their Christmas shows especially drawing in huge audiences, and enticing major stars of stage and screen to appear in numerous sketches, Peter Cushing, Vanessa Redgrave, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Cliff Richard, to name but a few. Their 1977 Christmas Day show was watched by over 28 million viewers, and is still the most watched comedy programme in British television history.

In 1976 Ernie and Eric were awarded the OBE for their work and by 1977 had won six BAFTA awards.

The show moved back to ITV in 1978, but this was to be the beginning of the end for ‘The Morecambe and Wise Show’, the next five years saw the shows ratings fall, and the usual chemistry begin to wane between the two stars. Eric’s heart problems, with two heart attacks in this period helped to slow the show down.

Eric died of a Heart Attack in 1985, and this spelled an end to Ernie’s comedy career, after over thirty years as a double act, Ernie chose not to pursue a career as a solo comedian.

Over the next ten years Ernie presented many compilation shows of the ‘The Morecambe and Wise Show’ and starred in stage productions of ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ and ‘Run for your Wife’. A documentary featuring Ernie 'The Importance of Being Ernie' was shown in 1993.

In 1995 following two heart attacks and declining health, on his 70th birthday Ernie announced his retirement from showbusiness.

After several years spent in Florida following Eric’s death, Ernie Wise died of a heart attack on the 21st March 1999 at the age of 73, at Nuffield Hospital, Wrexham.

He will be sadly missed.