Ronnie Corbett may retire following health scares
Monday 17th Update: Ronnie Corbett is now 'much better', and is recovering at home from a gall bladder problem. The reports he is to retire look set to be unfounded, with his wife saying: "He is still enjoying his work and having a wonderful life. He's given his life to showbusiness and he still intends to work as long as he can."
Ronnie Corbett is reportedly considering retiring following a series of health scares.
The comedy star, now 83, has recently been suffering from chest pains. The Sunday Mirror reports that the veteran entertainer has spent time in hospital recently to be treated for a 'mystery illness', and although he has now been discharged it is likely he will need to return for more tests.
Corbett's wife Anne confirmed to the newspaper: "He won't be doing any more TV - he's 83. He won't be like Bruce Forsyth."
Talking about her husband being admitted to hospital, she explained: "We didn't know what was wrong. He was feeling sick in his stomach and he wasn't well. The hospital ran lots of tests, he was in there for several days."
The comedian's latest health issues started last Sunday at his home near Croydon. After suffering chest and stomach pains, he was taken to the nearby Princess Royal University Hospital, but doctors were unable to diagnose the problem.
Corbett was discharged in time to deliver an eulogy at the memorial of his friend Sir David Frost, which took place on Thursday. His wife said: "It was such an emotional day and Ronnie was determined to be there."
Ronnie Corbett entered showbusiness after having spent time in national service with the Royal Air Force. His diminutive stature helped him land supporting roles in film and stage productions. However, it was the satirical TV series The Frost Report which made his name, and it was on that show he first worked with Ronnie Barker.
The duo (pictured below) went on to star in The Two Ronnies together. The hit TV show ran from 1971 to 1987, becoming the BBC's flagship sketch show. Aside from starring in the show's sketches, Corbett became well known for his armchair-based monologues in the programme.
He has continued to work in comedy regularly ever since, with notable roles including the 1980s sitcom series Sorry! and 1990s films including Fierce Creatures. The comedian has also embraced modern comedy, including gamely spoofing himself in both Extras and Little Britain.
His recent TV work includes presenting the documentary series Being Ronnie Corbett and The Two Ronnies Spectacle.
This is now the second time in three years that the comedian has been taken to hospital. On New Year's Day in 2012 he collapsed in a restaurant. He later said of that incident: "I have never felt as light headed in my life. I thought, 'Ooh, I'm going' and I collapsed on top of Anne. They thought I'd gone. It was scary for them - very scary."
Talking about the comedian's plans now, a source told The Mirror: "His illness remains a mystery. He is taking things easy at home and is trying to get better."
Corbett, who received a CBE in 2012, has slowly been cutting back on his TV commitments over the last few years to spend more time at home and on the golf course, however in October presented the BBC One show Ronnie's Animal Crackers, a series about eccentric pet owners.
The comic actor has recorded a new series of When The Dog Dies, the Radio 4 sitcom he has starred in since 2010. The comedy, created by Sorry! writers Ian Davidson and Peter Vincent, focuses on a man who is growing old happily alongside his faithful dog. The fourth series is due to be transmitted on Radio 4 later in the year.
The below clip features one of Corbett's famous monologues:
Plus here is the famous Mastermind sketch from The Two Ronnies: