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The diminutive star became a household name in Britain and Ireland through his partnership with comedy actor and writer Ronnie Barker on their long-running sketch show, which ran throughout the 70s and 80s.
Using his stature for comedy effect, the rambling monologues he delivered from a spotlit armchair became a staple of the show. He repeated the set-up on-and-off in recent years, and remained an in-demand guest star for sitcoms, and chat show guest.
Fans of the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras will remember his appearance in the show as a cocaine-snorting ‘Ronnie Corbett’.
Born in Edinburgh in 1930, Corbett made his name in the David Frost-fronted The Frost Report in the 1960s, where he first met Barker.
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His appearance in ‘The Class Sketch’ (below) alongside his future comedy partner and a young John Cleese became one of the best-known sketches of the satirical programme’s run.
The Frost Report
The Frost Report
He went on to host The Two Ronnies with Barker from 1971 and 1987.
Corbett married actress and dancer Anne Hart in 1965. The couple had two daughters.
Broadcasters, writers, politicians and fellow comedians in the UK have been paying tribute to the star this afternoon…
RIP the lovely, funny legend Ronnie Corbett. It was an absolute honour & joy to have known him.
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