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Goodnight from him - tributes pour in for Corbett

Updated / Friday, 1 Apr 2016 06:58
A host of warm tributes have been paid to the late Ronnie Corbett who has died aged 85
A host of warm tributes have been paid to the late Ronnie Corbett who has died aged 85

Comic legend John Cleese was just one of a host of celebrities who have paid tribute to the late comedian Ronnie Corbett, who died today aged 85.

Cleese said that he had "Just heard about Ronnie C. So sad. He had the best timing I've ever watched. He was a great, kind mentor and a wonderfully witty companion."

Corbett memorably starred in a hilarious episode of the Ricky Gervais comedy, Extras. In the sketch, he takes illegal drugs in the loo at the BAFTAs, getting both Gervais and his agent in trouble with the ‘Bafta police' who lament, "Corbett. It’s always bloody Corbett".

Gervais today paid a warm tribute to the late comedian saying "RIP the lovely, funny legend Ronnie Corbett. It was an absolute honour & joy to have known him."

Veteran British broadcaster Michael Parkinson said Corbett will be "greatly missed" and recalled his "loveability".

He said: "He was talented, of course he was, and people loved that talent. And he had a long and distinguished career in television, one of the key figures in the development of British humour, he and Ronnie, Ronnie Barker that is, and of course in his own right."

 Actor Hugh Laurie also joined in the tributes describing Corbett as a "beautiful, brilliant man."

Comedian Miranda Hart said: "Having a little weep at the death of one of my heroes Ronnie Corbett. As he would say 'Miranda you can't look up to me'.Goodbye from me."

Irish singer Ronan Keating also tweeted his condolences.

Writer and actor Mark Gatiss wrote on Twitter: "Ronnie Corbett was the most generous, charming and lovely man. Hugely supportive in the early days of The League Of Gentlemen.

"The day after we won the Perrier, I saw him in the queue. It was like being blessed by all our childhood Saturday nights. RIP dear man."

Lyricist Tim Rice wrote: "RIP Ronnie Corbett. As delightful as he was funny, i.e. extremely. Unforgettable comic perfection, gracious warm-hearted gentleman."

He added that Corbett was "a man of great charm and warmth who brought laughter and joy to millions. He was quite simply one of the true greats of British comedy. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

A host of fellow comedians Julian Clary, Jack Whitehall and Lenny Henry also paid tribute to Corbett, with Henry simply describing his death as "sad news".

Another comedian David Walliams also paid warm tribute to Corbett in a series of tweets, including one which described him as a "friend and comedy idol".

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