Ronnie Corbett: Life, Career, Illness, and Death

There’s a reason the name Ronnie Corbett still brings a smile to so many faces: for decades, the Scottish comedian was a staple of British television, most famously as one half of the legendary double act The Two Ronnies. This article traces his life from a small Edinburgh flat to the brightest stages of the BBC, and the quiet final years marked by illness and loss.

Full name: Ronald Balfour Corbett ·
Born: 4 December 1930 ·
Died: 31 March 2016 (aged 85) ·
Spouse: Anne Hart (married 1965–2016) ·
Children: 2 daughters ·
Famous for: The Two Ronnies

Six facts about Ronnie Corbett, drawn from public records, one pattern: a life built on a single, enduring partnership that defined British comedy for a generation.

What happened to Ronnie Corbett?

Ronnie Corbett died on 31 March 2016 at Shirley Oaks Hospital in Shirley, London, surrounded by his family. He was 85. The official cause of death was a cardiac arrest linked to pneumonia, but he had been in declining health for months. A private funeral for family and friends was held on 18 April 2016 at St John the Evangelist Church near his home in Shirley. Two months later, a public celebration of his life took place at Westminster Abbey on 20 June 2016, with the Abbey choir providing music.

What was Ronnie Corbett’s illness?

Corbett had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in March 2015. He also suffered from a heart condition and had been hospitalised in 2014 for gall bladder problems. The illness progressed gradually, weakening him over the following year. In early 2016 he was admitted to hospital again, and his condition deteriorated until his death on 31 March.

Did Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker get on?

The two Ronnies first met in a London bar in 1963, when Corbett was working as a barman. They began working together on David Frost’s satirical show and soon formed a partnership that lasted more than 30 years. Corbett later described Barker as “pure gold in triplicate – as a performer; a writer and a friend”. He also said, “We worked together since 1965 and we never had a cross word”. The Mirror added that The Two Ronnies drew as many as 17 million viewers at its peak.

The catch: despite the public demand, Barker chose to retire early, a decision Corbett later said he regretted.

Where did Ronnie Corbett live?

Corbett lived in London for most of his adult life, owning a house in Chiswick. He also maintained a second home in Scotland, staying connected to his roots. In his final years, after his health declined, he moved to a care home in Lingfield, Surrey.

The trade-off: London gave him his career; Scotland gave him his identity. The care home in Surrey was where he spent his last months, away from both.

Who sang at Ronnie Corbett’s funeral?

The public celebration of his life at Westminster Abbey on 20 June 2016 featured musical performances by the Abbey choir. No specific solo singer has been widely named in public records, and the family kept the service details private. The earlier private funeral on 18 April also included hymns, but again no individual singer was identified.

What this means: the absence of a named soloist suggests the family preferred a dignified, non-celebrity service, focused on reflection rather than spectacle.

For fans of British comedy, the takeaway is clear: Corbett’s legacy is not just the laughter he brought, but the example of a partnership built on genuine affection. The choice for today’s broadcasters: invest in long-term creative relationships, or risk losing the kind of chemistry that drew 17 million viewers.

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