We remember Ronnie Corbett's Swindon visit as the comedian's death is announced

“I chatted to him for the Adver when he came to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre in 1997 and I remember he was a doting grandad, so proud of his family," said Flicky.

"He was talking to me before going on stage for An Evening With Ronnie Corbett - he was a real old school comedian, learning his craft through repertory theatre, pantomimes and summer seasons.

"I remember Ronnie telling me that he, and his comedy brother-in-arms Ronnie Barker, always kept in touch however busy their work schedule was. He said they met for dinner at least three or four times a year to catch up.

"Ronnie had his own style of comedy coming from the TV or theatrical production angle rather than the more modern stand-up comics. They don’t make them like that anymore.’’

Ronnie described his Swindon appearance as, "a collection of stories, jokes and reminiscences." 

A statement from Ronnie's publicist said: "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."

Sir Bruce Forsyth hailed Ronnie Corbett as one of the greatest entertainers the nation has ever seen.

The veteran show man, 88, spoke of his sadness following the death of Corbett and reflected on the "lovely times" they spent together.

In a statement, Sir Bruce said: "I am so very sad to hear the news about Ronnie. I have lost a close and very dear friend and we have all lost one of the greatest comedians and entertainers this country has known.

"My thoughts are with Anne and his family."

Speaking to BBC News, Sir Bruce said Corbett was "very adaptable", adding: "He could work with anybody, even me. He was ... a one of a kind and a half.

"We loved rehearsing together. We had a sense of humour around each other - he took me for what I was and I took him for what he was."

Sir Bruce reminisced about his friend, saying he had "a real sense of comedy, he was really something".

Ricky Gervais wrote on Twitter: "RIP the lovely, funny legend Ronnie Corbett. It was an absolute honour & joy to have known him."

Omid Djalili said: "And now Ronnie Corbett. What an absolutely delightful man. Sad sad news RIP."

Jack Whitehall tweeted: "RIP Ronnie Corbett, what a brilliant and funny man he was."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Ronnie Corbett was a giant of British entertainment who was loved by millions. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with his family."

Comedian David Walliams said: "Goodbye my friend and comedy idol #RonnieCorbett Thank you for all the laughs. It was the greatest honour to know and work with you."

Lord Sugar tweeted: "Sad news about Ronnie Corbett, very funny man R.I.P."

Entertainer Darren Day said on Twitter: "RIP Ronnie Corbett. True legend. He gave me a pair of his glasses to use for a sketch I was doing on the Royal Variety. Love to his family x"

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Ronnie Corbett had the rare talent of making all generations laugh. He'll be remembered as one of the all-time great comedians."

Comedy writer and producer Simon Blackwell said: "Very sad news about Ronnie Corbett - such a talented, funny and lovely man."

Lenny Henry wrote: "What sad news. Condolences to his family."

Comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar tweeted: "#RonnieCorbett One of the loveliest Kumars guests, always generous with his time & genuine off the cuff wit. A sad goodnight from him #RIP."

And Julian Clary wrote: "R.I.P. Ronnie Corbett, a master of his craft and a huge star."

Born Ronald Balfour Corbett in Edinburgh, he and Ronnie Barker rose to fame in the popular BBC comedy sketch show The Two Ronnies. Corbett also had a starring role in David Frost's The Frost Report.

The Two Ronnies is still hailed as one of the most popular TV programmes of the late 20th century.

Corbett recently appeared on the BBC Radio 4 show When The Dog Dies, which saw him reunited with the writers of his hit sitcom Sorry!

Corbett began his acting career at the age of 15, when he starred in a pantomime at his local church youth club.

The versatile comedian also hosted the BBC One game show Small Talk for two years from 1994-96.

Corbett and his wife, Anne Hart, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year.

The much-loved actor was awarded a CBE in the 2012 New Year Honours for his services to charity and the entertainment industry.

His wife later revealed that, during a celebration to mark the achievement, he had collapsed in a restaurant and was rushed to hospital.

Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, said: "Ronnie Corbett was a wonderful comic and entertainer. 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."

His Two Ronnies co-star Barker died in 2005.

The pair's partnership dated back to a fortuitous meeting with David Frost, who invited Corbett to appear in The Frost Report.

Following his success alongside Frost, Barker and John Cleese in The Frost Report, Corbett went on to enjoy a string of other TV successes including Corbett's Follies and No, That's Me Over Here.

Our interview with Ronnie Corbett back in June 17 1997

Veteran comedian Ronnie Corbett believes you have to be a real tough guy these days to get into comedy, wrote Flicky Harrison.

“It’s all stand-up and the only places to play are The Comedy Store and Jongleurs clubs,” said Ronnie.

Ronnie, 67, and his contemporaries such as Ronnie Barker and John Cleese, learned their profession in the theatre.

“We were seasoned performers and comfortable on stage, learning our craft in reps, panto and summer seasons,” he said.

At the end of this month Ronnie is bringing his own special humour to Swindon in his own show before returning to the small screen for An Audience With… which will be broadcast in the autumn on London Weekend Television.

“It is one of only six shows to get me back into the habit of performing and the material assembled in my mind so that it appears as if I picked it out of thin air,” he said.

“The show is a collection of stories, jokes and reminiscences. It’s a pot pourri with a bit of old and a bit of new material. My special guest on the show is Elio Pace. I met him when he won TV’S New Faces. He’s a friend of my daughter Sophie and he has done charity evenings with me so he seemed right for the show.”

Ronnie is hoping for a quiet summer when he finishes his mini tour, but with Sophie due to have a baby in five weeks and his other daughter Emma already at home with an eight-week-old baby and an eight-year-old son, grandad will have his hands full.

Apart from his long running comedy partnership with Ronnie Barker, he has worked with Danny La Rue and Stanley Baxter. “We all came from the tradition of production comedians and sketches rather than stand-up” he said.

But the comic still sees his old pal – the other Ronnie – three or four times a year for dinner or a show. The Edinburgh-born comedian, who now lives in Surrey, started in show business in 1951. It worried his mother but pleased his  father who was a bit of an “adventurer”. - FH