Ronnie Barker, one of the actors who defined TV comedy for generations of viewers, has died. He was 76.
It is reported that Barker had been ill for some time with heart problems.
His agent Rosalind Chatto said he died at 12.15pm yesterday with his wife by his side. Chatto said Barker had been nursed at home for a long time.
Barker will best be remembered for his roles in three classic TV comedy series: 'The Two Ronnies', 'Porridge' and 'Open All Hours'.
Born Ronald William George Barker on 25 September 1929, Barker began his acting career in 1948 and was appearing in West End productions by 1955.
Barker and screen partner Ronnie Corbett first worked together as writers on 'The Frost Report' in 1966 and their first BBC series was broadcast in 1971.
'The Two Ronnies' ran for 16 years and 98 episodes, including Christmas specials.
Barker announced his shock retirement from showbusiness in 1987 and devoted his time to the antique shop he owned in the Cotswolds.
In the years following the announcement, he made some rare television appearances, including 'The Gathering Storm' and 'My House in Umbria' in 2002 and the spoof 'Porridge' documentary 'Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher' in 2003.
