Robbie Williams bought ‘uncle of sorts’ Eric Morecambe’s glasses for £20,000 Robbie Williams has said he purchased Eric Morecambe’s glasses and pipe at auction as he has always seen the comedian as an “uncle of sorts” whose “spirit has been salve for my soul”.
In an Instagram post featuring photos of Williams using the glasses and pipe, he said he treated himself to the items ahead of his 51st birthday on Thursday and after undergoing months of press for his new semi-autobiographical film Better Man.
He said their determination to secure the lot raised to a “primal competitive and irrational” level, with Williams apparently saying to his wife that they were now going through their children’s inheritance, which he said she dismissed.
The imitation tortoiseshell glasses by Metzler, said to be synonymous with Morecambe’s sharp wit and comedic persona, were sold alongside his Barling briar pipe and two black-and-white photographs of him with the spectacles.
The singer said he cried “happy, childlike tears” after winning the bidding war last month with a final offer of £20,000, far exceeding the £2,000 to £4,000 estimate.
