A very sad day in comedy land. Mr Ronnie Barker (the big one out of The Two Ronnies) died today. One of my comedy heros and star of so many of the most famous sketch shows and sitcoms in history including Porridge, Open All Hours, Clarence, obviously The Two Ronnies and a variety of other shows and programmes.
I first remember watching him as stuttering shopkeeper Awkright in Open All Hours alongside a young David Jason. His ability to look old yet still keep that twinkle in his eye when chasing the busty Nurse Gladys was a joy to behold, as was his stuttering speech and perfect timing whenever G..G..G..Granville was in need of a cloth. As a comedy duo the roles were reversed from their previous series together, Porridge. David Jason played the elderly Blanco, while Ronnie fitted delightfully into the role of Fletcher, serial criminal and old hand at the jail lark. Alongside the late Richard Beckinsale as Lenny Godber, he moulded the role into one of the most crafty, mischevous characters that television had ever seen.
Then of course, most notably was his partnership with Ronnie Corbett. Both wonderfully funny men, but in such different ways. Mr Corbett with his brilliantly timed pieces to camera “Now the Producer has said to me….” and his general air of, almost, haughtiness in places, and Mr Barker using word play that could knock you sideways, remember the truly unforgettable hardware shop sketch, one of THE funniest pieces of television ever produced, easily up there with moments such as DelBoy falling through the bar in the “Yuppie Love” episode of Only Fools and Horses, and the infamous Monty Python “Parrot Sketch”.
When it comes to great comedians, this country has spawned so many that it is hard to count them all. Names such as Tommy Trinder, Spike Milligan, Bob Monkhouse, Peter Sellars, Tommy Cooper, Dick Emery, Benny Hill, Les Dawson, I could go on all night but I won’t. Suffice to say that Ronnie Barker entered himself into the hall of comedy fame many, many years ago despite actually “quitting” show business and running an antiques shop sometime ago. Thankfully he returned to TV earlier this year and reconnected his partnership with Ronnie Corbett, producing a “best of” series of The Two Ronnies. A comedy legend who will continue to bring joy to millions of people through his timeless masterpieces and simple humour.
I am glad to have been able to have enjoyed his work, and to be honest….
I may be sad but I am still laughing inside. God Bless you Ronnie.!
, got myself a full time lady, for light cleaning, cooking and other chores. Must get her a hairnet. I am of course joking. It is unlikely I would let any lady of mine cook very often, cleaning.??? Pah, whats that.?? As for other chores, well they aren’t chores 
. We wandered around a couple of places, someone drank too much Absinth, not me because the stuff tastes vile.! Finally got to Hobbits about 11.30 and I met an angel. Spent the entire night with her, chatting and stuff. Seeing her again tonight. 
). So hungry.!!