Ronnie Corbett

Ronald Balfour Corbett (4 December 1930 - 31 March 2016) was a Scottish comedian and actor. He had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the BBC sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971-87), becoming known for his meandering chair monologues, and starred in sitcoms such as No - That's Me Over Here! (1967-70), Now Look Here (1971-73) and Sorry! (1981-88). He was born at The Royal Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, the son of master baker William Balfour Corbett, and was educated at James Gillespie's Boys School and the Royal High School.

After leaving school Corbett decided he wanted to be an actor while performing in amateur theatricals at a church youth club, though his first job was with the Ministry of Agriculture. He did his national service with the Royal Air Force, during which he was the shortest commissioned officer in the British Forces. Following national service, he moved to London to start his acting career; at 5 ft 1 in tall he was suited to playing roles younger than his years, and references to his height frequently featured in his self-deprecating humour. He appeared in films including You're Only Young Twice (1952), Casino Royale (1967), Some Will, Some Won't (1970) and No Sex Please, We're British (1973).

While working at Danny La Rue's Mayfair nightclub, Corbett was seen by David Frost, who asked him to appear in The Frost Report (1966-67), where he first worked with Ronnie Barker. He and Barker appeared with John Cleese in the famous Class sketch, where Corbett's height provided the pay-off line: "I get a pain in the back of my neck." He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He died on 31 March 2016.