Ronnie Barker

RONNIE BARKER OBE autograph d2005. English actor, comedian and writer best known for his outstanding roles in British BBC television comedy series including ; Porridge / The Two Ronnies and Open all Hours. He got his television break with the satirical sketch series The Frost Report in 1966 where he met future collaborator Ronnie Corbett. He found fame with the sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971–1987) and later in the sitcoms Porridge (its sequel Going Straight) and Open All Hours. He wrote comedy under his own name and the pseudonym Gerald Wiley which he adopted to avoid pre-judgements of his talent. He won a BAFTA for best light entertainment performance four times (amongst any other awards)and received an OBE in 1978. Later television sitcoms such as The Magnificent Evans and Clarence were less successful and he retired in 1987. He opened an antiques shop with his wife Joy. He died of heart failure on 3rd October 2005 aged 76.