John Cleese has paid tribute to his “wonderfully witty companion” Ronnie Corbett in the wake of his death.

Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star Cleese, 76, praised Corbett for his comic timing.

The two worked together to film The Frost Report in the 1960s and remained close friends.

Together with Ronnie Barker, they filmed the famous “class sketch”, which satirised the British class system. Corbett’s line – “I know my place” – became iconic.

Ronnie Corbett, John Cleese, Sir David Jason and Miranda Hart during filming of the BBC programme Goodbye Television Centre in 2013 Ronnie Corbett, John Cleese, Sir David Jason and Miranda Hart during filming of the BBC programme Goodbye Television Centre in 2013 (Guy Levy/BBC)