Long-lost classic Morecambe and Wise tapes found in west Africa

The lost tapes of the famous comedy duo lay undiscovered for half a century in the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown, but will now be flown back to the UK in time for Christmas to be broadcast on television.

Protected by their tin drums, the film rolls have survived since the two episodes were recorded in 1968 – the first programmes since the pair made the move to the BBC from ITV.

The original BBC tapes were wiped clear by executives at the corporation as they were required for new recordings.

Both of the newly discovered episodes were found by archive preservation expert Philip Morris.

Mr Morris had previously searched the television archives in Sierra Leone but his quest was hampered by the destruction of the national TV station during the country’s civil war between 1991 and 2002.

“Inside this building there were old steel benches with stacks and stacks of films. Most were in a bad condition, but among these were two of the missing Morecambe and Wise episodes,” he told the Times newspaper.

Mr Morris added: “This is historically important for British television.

“These things are national heritage, it belongs to us all.”

He had previously found another lost tape from the 1968 series in Nigeria, although it was not in viewable condition, and has also unearthed a number of other lost episodes of classic shows including Dr Who and Steptoe and Son.