Ronnie Corbett: Life in pictures
- Published
Corbett (right) got his first big break doing stand-up on the children's TV show Crackerjack! in the mid-1950s, with presenters Michael Darbyshire (left) and Eamonn Andrews (centre).
Corbett was spotted by David Frost, who recruited him for his satirical sketch show The Frost Report in 1966, where he worked alongside (back row l-r) Nicholas Smith, Ronnie Barker, John Cleese , Nicky Henson, (front row, l-r ) Julie Felix, Tom Lehrer, (Ronnie Corbett) and David Frost.
One of his most famous sketches is 50 years old this year. He teamed up with Barker and Cleese for a satirical examination of British class, which was broadcast on The Frost Report. Corbett played "lower class" who was "looked down" upon by the others but had the line: "I know my place."
Ronnie Corbett and his long time comedy partner Ronnie Barker, who died in 2005, went on to become two of the biggest stars on TV with their sketch show The Two Ronnies between 1971 to 1987.
Another of their most famous sketches, known as the Four Candles sketch, played on shopping list confusion in a hardware store. Barker's original script of the sketch sold in 2007 for £48,5000.
Corbett played numerous characters in sketches for The Two Ronnies, including many that gently poked fun at his short stature.
Costumes played a big role in The Two Ronnies, with the duo dressing up as Vikings, aliens, bikers - and here Corbett dressed as Star Wars robot R2D2
Corbett - seen here with two cabaret dancers during a rehearsal for a two-week season at the Savoy Hotel, London, in 1970 - was also renowned as a dancer.
In the 1980s, Corbett starred in the sitcom Sorry! as long-suffering librarian Timothy Lumsden, who lived at home with his domineering mother Phyllis. She was played by Barbara Lott, who was actually only 10 years older than Corbett at the time.
Corbett's character Timothy did finally break away from his parents, at the age of 48, flying off with his love Pippa, played by Bridget Price, in a hot air balloon. By then the sitcom has run for seven series.
Corbett was a passionate golfer and competed in numerous charity tournaments. He regularly played with friend Sir Bruce Forsyth and partnered some of the sport's biggest names in pro-celebrity tournaments.
Corbett and Barker reunited for The Two Ronnies Sketchbook in 2005, but Barker's health was deteriorating. He died in October of that year, and the final episode, a Christmas special, aired posthumously in December with tributes from his long time partner and friend.
After the loss of Barker, who he called B, Corbett continued to work. He appeared in comedy shows including Little Britain with Matt Lucas (left) and David Walliams (centre), Extras, and many comedy panel shows.
Corbett stepped into Sir Bruce's shoes on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 after the veteran host fell ill with flu, and he presented the show alongside Tess Daly.
Ronnie Corbett was made a CBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2012 for services to entertainment and charity.
Corbett married his wife Anne Hart, an actress and dancer, in 1965. The couple, pictured here in 2010, had two daughters.
Corbett, whose career in entertainment spanned nearly 60 years, passed away on Thursday morning surrounded by his family.
- Published31 March 2016
- Published31 December 2011
- Published31 March 2016
