Ronnie Corbett Dead: Legendary Comedian Dies, Aged 85

The veteran entertainer was surrounded by his family.
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Ronnie Corbett has died, at the age of 85. 

The sad news was confirmed by Ronnie's publicist on Thursday (31 March) morning, in a statement which reads: “Ronnie Corbett CBE, one of the nation’s best-loved entertainers, passed away this morning, surrounded by his loving family.

"They have asked that their privacy is respected at this very sad time.”

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Ronnie Corbett
Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images

The cause of death has not yet been confirmed. 

The star is best known for his comedy sketch show 'The Two Ronnies', which he wrote and starred in with Ronnie Barker, during the 1970s and 1980s. 

He also appeared in a number of other TV shows and radio sketch shows, including 'Small Talk' and 'Sorry!'.

In 2012, Ronnie was awarded a CBE for services to entertainment and charity.

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The two Ronnies in 2002
Reg Wilson/REX/Shutterstock

Speaking shortly after the investiture ceremony, he said he hoped his longtime friend and collaborator Barker, who died in 2005, was watching over him. 

"He would have been here beside me but I like to think he is still looking down keeping an eye on me," he said. 

Ronnie has suffered various health problems in the last, and at a dinner to celebrate his CBE, he collapsed and was hospitalised for two days. 

In 2014, he suffered gall bladder problems, but was back at work just a week later. 

He is survived by his wife Anne Hart, and their daughters Emma and Sophie Corbett. 

Ronnie Corbett 1930-2016
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Entertainer Ronnie Corbett at The Savoy (credit:ALPHA GENERAL/S&G and Barratts)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett at The Savoy. (credit:ALPHA GENERAL/S&G and Barratts)
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Comedians Ronnie Corbett (left) and Ronnie Barker, the BBC's comic team, 'The Two Ronnies'. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett (left) and Bruce Forsyth rehearse their double-act as joint hosts of the Royal Variety Performance. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with television stars (l-r) Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett and David Frost at a dinner held for the Lord's Taverners at 10 Downing Street, London. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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PA Photo 23/4/1975 Comedian Ronnie Corbett gets tied up with Bunny Girl Carolyn Moore at a reception in London after he was nemed among the Top Ten Tiemen of 1975 by the Tie Manufacturers Association (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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Smiles from television's Two Ronnies, comedians Ronnie Corbett (l) and Ronnie Barker, at Buckingham Palace after receiving the OBE from Queen Elizabeth II at an investiture. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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The Two Ronnies, Ronnie Barker (right) and Ronnie Corbett in a sketch from their BBC 1 Christmas show, 'Christmas Night With The Two Ronnies'. * 18/12/1999 The pair have been conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award, at the British Comedy Awards, held in London. Another award went to Dame Edna Everage, alias Barry Humphries. 15/02/04: The Two Ronnies are set to return to the nation's screens after a 17-year absence, the BBC confirmed. Barker, now 74, and his comedy partner Corbett, 73, enjoyed huge success in the 1970s and 80s, attracting 17 million viewers at their peak. After teaming up again for a Bafta tribute show for Barker, screened last week, the pair approached BBC1 Controller Lorraine Heggesey about resuming their double act. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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Prime Minister's wife Norma Major, welcomes comedian Ronnie Corbett and his wife to a reception at No 10 Downing Street tonight (Thur). Rota Photo by David Cheskin/PA (credit:David Cheskin/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett with his wife Anne at the Grosvenor House Hotel for the Carlton London Restaurant Awards. (credit:Peter Jordan/PA Archive)
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Golf-loving comedian Ronnie Corbett entertains the crowds at Carnoustie, Scotland, on the eve of the1999 British Open Golf Championship. (credit:Matthew Fearn/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett with Lady Myra Secombe, widow of comic genius Sir Harry Secombe, after a service of thanksgiving for Sir Harry at Westminster Abbey, London. The Goon Show legend, who died in April from cancer at the age of 79, was remembered by family and friends at the event. The Prince of Wales was among The Goons' most prominent fans and led the tributes following his death. Sir Harry was also known for his fine tenor singing voice which he used to great effect on the religious TV programmes he presented, such as Highway and Songs Of Praise. He had battled against ill-health for many years, suffering from diabetes, prostate cancer and then a stroke. (credit:Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Archive)
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PA file photo dated 25/6/97 of comedian Ronnie Corbett who celebrates his 68th birthday tomorrow (Friday) 4th December 1998. Photo by Sam Pearce/PA (credit:by Sam Pearce/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett during the Moet & Chandon London Restaurant Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett arrives for the thanksgiving service for the life of cricket legend Lord Cowdrey of Tonbridge at Westminster Abbey, in London. Cowdrey died in December 2000, aged 67. * Cowdrey was former captain of Kent and England and chairman of the International Cricket Council. (credit:Michael Stephens/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett, receives the TRIC Special Award. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett arriving at the Tribute to Shirley Bassey, ITV Studios, the South Bank, London.Doug Peters/allactiondigital.com (credit:Doug Peters/allactiondigital.co/Doug Peters)
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Ronnie Corbett, after opening a new museum dedicated to famous lifeboat man Henry Blogg at Cromer Lifeboat Station Cromer, Norfolk. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett, receives the TRIC Special Award. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
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Comedian Ronnie Corbett arrives for the Tio Pepe/Carlton London Restaurant Awards 2003 at Le Meridien Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett attending the Northern Rock All Star Cup Gala Dinner at the Celtic Manor Resort, The Usk valley, south Wales. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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Ronnie Corbett modeling at Fashion For Relief 2010, UK. Part of London Fashion Week, Autumn/ Winter 2010. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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Ronnie Corbett arrives at Sir David Frost's Summer Garden Party, in Carlyle Square, west London. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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British comic actor Ronnie Corbett, right, with singer Alexandra Burke on the runway as he takes part in Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief -Haiti show in London, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:Alastair Grant/AP)
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Ronnie Corbett with a statue with his long time comedy partner Ronnie Barker after it was unveiled at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett arrives for the premiere of the new film Burke and Hare at the Curzon Chelsea cinema. (credit:Katie Collins/PA Archive)
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British comedian Ronnie Corbett in his dressing room before performing on BBC Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night Desert Island Discs Special. A unique concert live from London's Mermaid Theatre on Friday May 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark Allan) (credit:Mark Allan/AP)
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Ronnie Corbett arrives at the Battersea Power Station Boiler House for a fund-raising auction in aid of the Old Vic, which is celebrating 192 years of theatre. (credit:Ian Nicholson/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett meets burlesque dancer Immodesty Blaize at Addington Palace, Surrey, ahead of her four night run at Koko, which begins on May 11 (www.koko.uk.com). (credit:Katie Collins/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett after he received his Commander of the British Empire (CBE) medal from Queen Elizabeth II following an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in central London. (credit:Rebecca Naden/PA Archive)
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Guests Miranda Hart and Ronnie Corbett during filming of The Graham Norton Show (TX: 22.35 Friday October 19, BBC One), at The London Studios in south London. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
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EDITORIAL USE ONLYComedian Ronnie Corbett joins other celebrities and presenters at UKTV's Showcase, at the Saatchi Gallery in west London, as the award winning media company announces its line up for its upcoming shows. (credit:Matt Crossick/PA Archive)
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Queen Elizabeth II presents Ronnie Corbett with his Commander of the British Empire (CBE) medal during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in central London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive)
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Ronnie Corbett attending a St Andrew's Day reception at No 10 Downing Street, London. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)