Ronnie Corbett, one of Britain’s most popular comedians, best known for The Two Ronnies, his double-act with Ronnie Barker, died yesterday aged 85, his publicist said.
The show, a staple of Saturday night family television that ran from 1971 to 1987, regularly closed with the catchphrase: “It’s good night from me... and it’s good night from him.”
Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes to the famously diminutive 5ft 1in performer describing him as a star with “the rare talent of making all generations laugh”.
He would be remembered as “one of the all-time great comedians”, he added.
Stars from across the comedy generations paid tribute.
Ricky Gervais, who cast Corbett in an episode of his sitcom Extras in 2006, wrote on Twitter: “RIP the lovely, funny legend Ronnie Corbett. It was an absolute honour & joy to have known him.”
John Cleese added on Twitter that Corbett “had the best timing I’ve ever watched. He was a great, kind mentor and a wonderfully witty companion.”
Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, called Corbett “quite simply one of the true greats of British comedy”.
A statement from Corbett’s publicist 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, fondly remembered for his convoluted monologues, was a mainstay of television light entertainment for over 50 years.
Other celebrated roles included the 1960s satirical comedy show The Frost Report and Sorry!, a 1980s sitcom about a fortysomething librarian who lives with his domineering mother and timid father.
Born in Edinburgh in 1930, he is thought to have been in poor health for some time and leaves a wife and two daughters.