Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85
Comedy legend Ronnie Corbett has died.
The actor and performer, best known for his work with Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies, was aged 85.
His publicist confirmed the news of his death in a statement, which said: "Ronnie Corbett CBE, one of the nation's best-loved entertainers, passed away this morning, surrounded by his loving family. They have asked that their privacy is respected at this very sad time."
Corbett had been suffering from ill-health for some time. He was hospitalised in 2014, and previously collapsed at a dinner in his honour in 2012.
Born in Edinburgh in 1930, Corbett entered showbusiness following National Service. After various small parts in films, his first main TV role was in Crackerjack. However, his big comedy break came through The Frost Report in 1966.
The BBC explains: "Like many of his generation, Ronnie had a strong career on stage and was 36 before his first big television break. That was on the groundbreaking Frost Report - a live tinder box of comedy talent that also introduced John Cleese and Ronnie Barker."
It was through The Frost Report that Corbett forged a comedy partnership with Ronnie Barker], and later launched their own sketch show, The Two Ronnies, quickly becoming household names.
The BBC series, which ran for 16 years between 1971 and 1987, is still one of the most successful and long-running light entertainment shows in British television history. At its peak it was watched by 22 million viewers. Corbett is particularly remembered for his "shaggy dog" stories, which he told from an oversized armchair.
In the 1980s, Corbett also starred in Sorry!, a sitcom which ran for 7 series.
In 2005, Corbett teamed up again with Ronnie Barker for The Two Ronnies Sketchbook, a series looking back on their hit show. Barker died that year, before the broadcast of a special Christmas episode. Corbett then continued to work in a solo capacity, with guest roles in shows such Extras. In 2010 he took the starring role in Radio 4 sitcom When The Dog Dies, which ran for four series. The same year saw him star in his own TV special - The One Ronnie.
His recent comedy work includes presenting series such as Ronnie Corbett's Comedy Britain and The Two Ronnies Spectacle. In January, the BBC broadcast the documentary The Many Faces Of Ronnie Corbett, which celebrated his long and varied comedy career and labelled him "an icon of television entertainment".
He was awarded a CBE in the 2012 New Year Honours list for his services to charity and entertainment.
BBC Director General Tony Hall says: "Ronnie Corbett was a wonderful comic and entertainer. A man of great charm and warmth who brought laughter and joy to millions. He was quite simply one of the true greats of British comedy. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
TV executive Lord Grade told Sky News that Corbett was a "comic genius", who was working right up until his death. He added: "He never disappointed audiences, whether he was working on television or on the stage."
Corbett is survived by his wife, Anne, with whom he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary last year, and his two daughters, Emma and Sophie.
Update, 1st April: Ronnie Corbett had been battling motor neurone disease for over a year, his wife has revealed. Interview
Below is the video for 'Four Candles', one of the most iconic sketches in British comedy history:
And here he is presenting one of his armchair monologues:
Here he is starring in The One Ronnie: