Four candles, a comfy old armchair... and it’s goodnight from Ronnie
Classic sketch is punchline for comedy legend’s memorial service
HIS battered 1970s armchair sat before the gilded altar of a medieval church built to honour kings and knights. Empty and sad, it brought a lump to the throat as showbusiness legends filed into Westminster Abbey. Then a ripple of recognition swept through the 2,000strong congregation... as four candles were carried down the ancient aisle.
Moments later, Ronnie Corbett’s voice rang out, performing the Two Ronnies’ ironmonger’s sketch one last time.
Family, friends, showbiz colleagues and 500 fans gathered yesterday to celebrate the life and work of much-loved Ronnie, who died last year from motor neurone disease at the age of 85.
With music, readings, love and laughter, they paid tribute to the star – known for the rambling monologues he gave from that armchair.
Friend and golfing partner Jimmy Tarbuck, 72, led the tributes, saying: “Ronnie was five foot two in stature and 10 feet tall in comedic talent.”
Before finding fame, Ronnie was an RAF officer. “He got his uniform from Mothercare”, said Tarbie, adding, “That was his line, not mine.”
He spoke from the same pulpit where, in 2006, Ronnie had paid tribute to his TV partner Ronnie Barker. He had taken a beer crate along to stand on – and had the congregation in stitches.
Ronnie Corbett’s wife, Anne, 84, was there yesterday with their daughters, Emma and Sophie, and four grandchildren. Anne was so devastated when
Ronnie died days before their golden wedding anniversary that she has been unable to listen to his voice on TV. But yesterday she smiled as his comedy clips were played – the “I look up to him” sketch from The Frost Report in 1965, the Two Ronnies’ Mastermind spoof and their “fork handles” classic. It was a unique service for a comic national treasure. The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, recalled Ronnie’s gifts, “the brilliant comic timing, the twinkle in the eye, the richness of voice”, before adding: “So it’s a good day from me, and it’s a good day from him...” The congregation included Dame Penelope Keith, and Sarah, Duchess of York. Sir Bruce Forsyth, 89, was too ill to attend, but wife Wilnelia, 59, was there. Sir Michael Parkinson, 82, who had been due to give a reading was also unwell.
Stephen Fry, Graham Norton, David Walliams and Ben Elton were there, along with Richard Wilson, June Whitfield, Robert Lindsay, Peter Bowles, Nicholas Parsons, Michael Crawford, Giles Brandreth, Harry Hill, Ben Elton, Su Pollard and Robert Powell.
Joanna Lumley, 71, gave a bible reading before former BBC executive James Moir gave a eulogy, describing Corbett as a “comedy alchemist, who lifted the word from the page and transformed it into echoing, golden laughter”.
Ronnie’s daughters and grandson Tom led bidding prayers, recalling his “gentleness and graciousness”. West End star Ruthie Henshall then gave a moving performance of I’ll Be Seeing You.
Comic Rob Brydon, 52, choked back tears as he described his friend and idol.
He said: “To walk down the street with Ronnie Corbett was to witness something rather wonderful – faces all around would light up with joy.”
Doing a perfect impersonation of Ronnie’s laugh, he said: “In these horribly dark, troubled times he’s brought us all together once again with laughter. Thank you, Ron, we’ll never forget you.”
After the service, as the Abbey bells pealed, actress Maureen Lipman, 71, said: “It was simple, eloquent, and very moving. Ronnie would have laughed himself silly.” Jo Brand, 59, agreed: “It was absolutely fantastic. Everybody wanted to pay tribute to him because he was so lovable.” And Dame Barbara Windsor, 79, said: “It was a magnificent service. We laughed, we cried – it was a wonderful way to remember him.”
In 2012, Ronnie was awarded the CBE, but never got the knighthood many believed he deserved.
So, during the service, Jimmy Tarbuck took the liberty of knighting Ron himself. “All in favour, say ‘Aye?’,” asked Tarbie. A huge “Aye” rang out as they honoured Sir Ronnie, the comedy knight.
And it was the perfect goodnight... from them to him.