£48,500 for four candles (or is it fork handles?)

The original script of The Two Ronnies sketch "Fork handles" written by Ronnie Barker has been sold at auction for £48,500 to a private buyer.

The script, written in 1976 under Barker's famous pseudonym Gerald Wiley, in its original title of "Annie Finkhouse" first re-appeared in 2006 on an episode of Antiques Roadshow. The script's authenticity was confirmed by Ronnie Corbett who said: "It was quite sweet for me to see his handwriting again."

Chris Atkins, speaking for the organisers of the auction, Original Memorabilia Company, said: "We had literally hundreds of telephone calls about the auction, but because of the price of the script, only a few of those were in a financial position to place bids. We're delighted it has been such a success, but not surprised, as it was a fantastic chance to own arguably one of the most important pieces of television memorabilia there is."

The sketch was voted by fans of The Two Ronnies as their greatest sketch, and came fifth in Channel 4's poll of the top fifty sketches ever made.