Ronnie Corbett: A life in comedy
1st Jan 2015 Celebrities
As we mourn the loss of comedy icon Ronnie Corbett, we take a look back at his funniest moments and honour his 50-year career on television.
"I know my place"
Ronnie Corbett is best known as one-half of comedy duo The Two Ronnies, but his TV comedy career began in the mid-60s when he appeared on The Frost Report. Here he met his future comedy partner Ronnie Barker, as well as starring alongside comedy greats such as John Cleese. The clip below stars all three comedians in a sketch that pits height against social status.
The Two Ronnies
In the 1971, Corbett became a firm fixture on our television screens when Barker and Corbett starred in the BBC light entertainment show, The Two Ronnies. The much-loved show ran for 16 years and produced some of the UK's most memorable comedy sketches.
Four Candles
Specialist subject: answering the question before last
The one Ronnie
Away from Barker, Corbett did the rounds in sitcoms (Sorry!, Little Britain), on the big screen (Fierce Creatures, Burke and Hare) and made numerous game show appearances. No matter what he turned his hand to he was always adored by audiences.
Long after the death of his comedy partner Ronnie Barker in 2005, Corbett continued to mourn him.
"Happy days, lovely days. The Two Ronnies... a tear comes to my eye when I think of him."
He spoke emotionally in 2010 on an episode of Loose Women, and he told LBC Radio in 2014 that he couldn't drive down the road where they had their last conversation.
But Corbett remained on our TV screens, much to the delight of viewers.
Ronnie Corbett buys four candles
Ronnie Corbett takes drugs
In perhaps one of his finest comedy performances, Corbett appeared in Ricky Gervais' Extras ('Chris Martin', 2006). In typical Gervais style, Corbett played a fame-hungry, cocaine-sniffing parody of himself—which happened to be the complete opposite of everything audiences knew Corbett to be. It was in equal measures shocking and hilarious and portrayed perfectly how Corbett was not an old-fashioned comedian, but a marvelous actor who went with the times.
"It's goodnight from him"
Ronnie Corbett died aged 85 on 31 March 2016 surrounded by his family. This beloved comedian and actor is a national treasure and will undoubtedly remain in the hearts of young and old alike.
For one final time, "'It's goodnight from me...' '...and it's goodnight from him'"
