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BRITISH COMEDIAN AND actor Ronnie Corbett has died aged 85, his publicist has confirmed.
The star of The Two Ronnies passed away surrounded by his family, according to UK-based newswire the Press Association.
The diminutive star became a household name in Britain and Ireland through his partnership with comedy actor and writer Ronnie Barker on their long-running sketch show, which ran throughout the 70s and 80s.
Using his stature for comedy effect, the rambling monologues he delivered from a spotlit armchair became a staple of the show. He repeated the set-up on-and-off in recent years, and remained an in-demand guest star for sitcoms, and chat show guest.
Fans of the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras will remember his appearance in the show as a cocaine-snorting ‘Ronnie Corbett’.
Born in Edinburgh in 1930, Corbett made his name in the David Frost-fronted The Frost Report in the 1960s, where he first met Barker.
His appearance in ‘The Class Sketch’ (below) alongside his future comedy partner and a young John Cleese became one of the best-known sketches of the satirical programme’s run.
He went on to host The Two Ronnies with Barker from 1971 and 1987.
Corbett married actress and dancer Anne Hart in 1965. The couple had two daughters.
Broadcasters, writers, politicians and fellow comedians in the UK have been paying tribute to the star this afternoon…
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RIP Ronnie Corbett. A true legend of comedy. A very sad day. Goodnight from me and good night from him.
Beat me to it!
I always loved his chair ramblings. RIP the second Ronnie.
And it’s good night from him
The hilarious BlackBerry sketch he done on the BBC only a few years back shows he was as funny in the end as he was when he was at his peak… https://youtu.be/kAG39jKi0lI
Ronnie ..Ronnie..Ronnie..bless you
Eggsbox, brilliant!
RIP Ronnie i will light 4 candles for you and your comrade Ronnie Barker.
I’ll light up a few fork handles also :)
That has to be my favourite sketch from the duo.
Got any 0′s?
He was an hilarious individual. Good age though.
And they say taller people on average tend to live longer? lol
How could you not love him. Comedic genius with excellent timing
Thanks for the laughs Ronnie
Our generations childhood just keeps getting thinner and thinner, another legend and gentlemen gone to the big house in the sky, RIP.
30 years from now you’ll be mourning the loss of Katie Price and saying “they don’t make them like that any more”
James _ Yes, they’ll have found a replacement for plastic by then.
James, hope they won’t be doing a cremation for that one, no one likes the smell of melting plastic!
I’ll Light four candles for him
Why 4?? Why light candles actually?
Don’t explain Frances
Do you know where I could buy fork handles? Can’t seem to find them in any shops, or even online, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Rob I think a trip to YouTube is in order for you. Search ‘four candles two ronnies’ , that should bring up the sketch.you’ll be glad you did!
Stephen have you tried a shop that sells church supplies? They might have them
Robs one of these people who wants to take offence at everything and ended up looking like an eejit
Was just thinking the very same ! Looks like a complete sap now…
Sorry If I’m not up on my 2 ronnies. a bit before my time. Tony you know all about looking like a sap
Here Rob… learn somthin’ :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaGpaj2nHIo
Lol… Straight in with what you thought was an anti religion attack…Sap !
Small hint. Fork handles?
Aaaw.very sad.rip.
So it’s a goodbye from him… Rest in peace Ronnie.
This should obviously have been the headline!
One of the last from a broken mould.
“A cement mixer collided with a prison van. Motorists are asked to be on the look out for 16 hardened criminals.” R.I.P. Ronnie one of the greats.
The news section of that programme was seriously funny & so clever
Rip wee man
Another legend gone. Truly sad to see. Thanks for all the laughs & memories. Especially the phantom raspberry blower of old London town & the worm that turned. RIP.
The only time that I ever saw him in real life was when he was driving a Bentley in London, and he could barely see over the dashboard. He did manage to smile and wave though.
I hope he has more than “four candles” at his funeral.
Ahh fork!
Sorry!
I was trying to think of the name of that programme, thanks!
Language Timothy!!!
So sad to hear. He was such a fixture on TV screens when I was growing up. A very funny man and was just so damn likeable.
His sketch a few years back with Harry Enfield in the shop was bloody hilarious.
Had a short illness
Giant of a comic grew up on the two ronnies and kellogs on a sat night Rip big man and thank you ….
Rest in Peace Ronnie, comedic legend. I’ll light 4 candles (not fork handles) for you
Sorry mother
2016 year of the Cull! Rip little man!
The Two Ronnies are back together again RIP.
Very sad. A totally inoffensive individual and funny to boot.
Another chunk of childhood and teenage entertainment gone. I feel old this year!
RIP to a great pair of comic talents (this goes to Ronnie Barker too) and will be missed.
That’s sad such a funny man #legend
Ah bill hooks.
They don’t make comedy like the 2 Ronnies anymore. Rest in peace.
Brilliant timing, Brilliant comedian. Lovely man. He seemed invincible. RIP Ronnie.
Not forgetting the ” plugs……firteen amp” Thank you Ronnie for so many laughs.
Language Timothy!
And like the World Crossword champion that featured on the 2 Ronnies news section once, will he be buried 6 down and 3 across?
RIP
RIP Ronnie another Legend gone there will be some Craic up in Heaven with him and the other Ronnie x
He could only book rooms on the first two floors of hotels he stayed in…..lift buttons you see!!!
Language Timothy !!!!!!
I remember listening to their comedy LP in my grand aunts house.. So funny..
A little man with huge personality. RIP.
Its an argentinian racing pigeon! RIP Ronnie
RIP Ronnie . There is very few of you left now . Will never forget Saturday nights either The Two Ronnies. Their comedy will never get old or dated or sady be repeated .
At least the family won’t have to fork out on an adult’s coffin for the funeral!
Maybe leave the comedy to the professional.
Absolute comic legend. Sleep well small big man.
Why can’t I comment on this article? http://jrnl.ie/2690395
Because it disappeared?
He was in the mad film Casino Royale as well?
Four candles will be alight in the grate for him tonight…. Ps Matt Lucas etc…I doubt if he is still checking his Twitter feed….
….
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