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‘Best of the best’: Robbie Williams buys Eric Morecambe’s glasses for £20,000

Singer says he cried ‘happy, childlike tears’ after placing winning bid on late comedian’s glasses and pipe at auction

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 wearing the spectacles. Alongside two pictures of Williams with the glasses and pipe, the former Take That member said he had treated himself to the items before his 51st birthday on Thursday and after undergoing months of promotion work for his semi-autobiographical film, Better Man. Williams said he had appointed Mike, a member of his team who handles his digital presence, to be “chief bidder” as he was in Los Angeles about to board a plane as the auction got under way.

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