Ronnie Corbett's life in pictures: It's goodnight from him

One of Britain’s best-loved entertainers, it was his partnership with Ronnie Barker in the BBC sketch show The Two Ronnies that made him a household name from the 1970s and 80s.

Ronnie Corbett after he received his Commander of the British Empire (CBE) medal from Queen Elizabeth II (Rebecca Naden/PA)

The show’s catchphrase: “It’s goodnight from me,” said by Corbett with Barker adding: “And it’s goodnight from him” is just as memorable today. We look back at Ronnie’s life in pictures.

Ronnie’s start in show business

Ronnie Corbett pictured in 1970 (PA)

Born Ronald Balfour Corbett in Edinburgh on December 4 1930, Ronnie decided he wanted to be an actor while performing in amateur theatricals. After national service, he moved to London to start his acting career. At 5ft 1in, his height would frequently be utilised in comedy.

When Ronnie met Ronnie

John Cleese, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett filming their famous sketch about class (BBC)

While working at a nightclub, Ronnie met Anne Hart. The romance blossomed and the couple wed in 1965.

After seeing a performance from Ronnie, the late broadcaster David Frost asked him to appear in The Frost Report, one of the most influential programmes at that time. It also featured Ronnie Barker.

Among the many sketches was one about class in which upper class John Cleese looked down on middle class Ronnie Barker who, in turn, looked down on working class Corbett.

The big red book

Eamonn Andrews, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett (PA)

Ronnie’s fame, which by 1970 had grown to include appearances in movies such as Bond spoof Casino Royale and BBC children’s favourite Jackanory, took another leap when his partner Ronnie Barker was in on a surprise that saw him featured on ITV’s This Is Your Life.

Genial Irish presenter Eamonn Andrews opened his big red book and told the story of Ronnie’s life to date.

The family unit

Ronnie Corbett and family in 1979 (PA)

Ronnie is pictured with his wife Anne and their two daughters Emma and Sophie. Their first child Andrew had a heart defect and died aged just six weeks old.

The Two Ronnies

Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies (BBC/PA)

Best known for the hit BBC sketch show The Two Ronnies, the pair spent 15 years delivering witty exchanges, performing sketches and musical numbers. Ronnie also presented numerous comedic monologues from his armchair.

Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker (BBC/PA)

Possibly one of the most memorable and funniest skits was Four Candles, first broadcast in 1976.

In it the character played by Barker can be seen asking hardware shopkeeper Corbett for what sounds like “four candles,” but what actually transpires to be fork handles.

A showbiz statesman

Terry Wogan, Margaret Thatcher, Ronnie Corbett and David Frost (PA)

Sadly, everyone in this photo is no longer with us. The late Sir Terry Wogan, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, Ronnie Corbett and Sir David Frost are pictured at a dinner held for the Lord’s Taverners at 10 Downing Street in London back in 1987.

The Two Ronnies had ended with Barker’s retirement, but Corbett continued to be just as famous on his own.

The Two Ronnies return

Michael Parkinson, Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker (BBC/Richard Kendal/PA)

In 2005, Ronnie teamed up again with his old friend and comedy collaborator for The Two Ronnies Sketchbook. This show featured comedy sketches from their original series with newly recorded material.

Celebrity appearances

Ronnie Corbett with Naomi Campbell (Alastair Grant/AP)

In addition to many starring roles in the theatre in productions including The Seven Year Itch and The Dressmaker, on TV, the Scottish-born comedian had sitcom Sorry! and made numerous guest appearances.

In 2010, he appeared on the runway at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief Haiti show in London.

Nice to see you, nice!

Ronnie Corbett with Tess Daly (Guy Levy/BBC)

Ronnie was close friends with Sir Bruce Forsyth for decades. In 2009, he stepped in as a Strictly Come Dancing replacement for his old buddy after Bruce took some time off.

Ronnie regales everyone

Ronnie Corbett with Ricky Gervais (Jonathan Brady/PA)

A showbusiness stalwart, talk shows could always rely on Ronnie to deliver the goods when it came to funny stories and witty anecdotes. The audience favourite is pictured on The Graham Norton Show in 2014 alongside Ricky Gervais.

An audience with The Queen

Ronnie Corbett with The Queen (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Ronnie received his Commander of the British Empire medal from The Queen in 2012. In a nice touch, the star had been honoured with an OBE alongside his TV partner Barker in 1978.

It’s goodnight from him

Ronnie Corbett with his wife Anne (Ian West/PA)

Friends and fans have said “goodnight” to the star for the last time. One of the nation’s best-loved entertainers, Ronnie’s career spanned six decades.

He died in hospital “surrounded by his loving family”, his publicist said, and is thought to have been ill for some time.