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Tributes to Ronnie Barker
Tributes were today paid to Ronnie Barker, who has died aged 76.
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His Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television programmes included The Two Ronnies, Open All Hours and Porridge.
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Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker's partner in The Two Ronnies, said: "Ronnie was pure gold in triplicate - as a performer; a writer and a friend.
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"We worked together since 1965 and we never had a cross word. It was 40 years of harmonious joy, nothing but an absolute pleasure.
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"I will miss him terribly, but he went out on a lift. He was delighted that the Two Ronnies Sketchbook had gone so well, bringing us to a new generation of audiences."
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Chairman Michael Grade said: "We have lost a national treasure. He was a comic actor of real genius and a naturally funny comedian in the vaudeville tradition - a unique combination.
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"In the history of television comic legends, Ronnie stands alongside Morecambe and Wise. That is how great he was. He was also a pleasure to work with."
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director-General Mark Thompson said: "We have lost a giant of comedy. Ronnie Barker will be numbered amongst a select band of comedy greats who shaped British comedy in the 20th century.
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"For millions of viewers across several generations his name alone was enough to guarantee their presence in front of the television screen.
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"For viewers the name Ronnie Barker was synonymous with laughter.
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"Our deepest sympathy is with Ronnie's wife Joy and his family."
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Alan Yentob, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Creative Director, said:
"This is very sad news. Ronnie Barker was a lovely man who was also extraordinarily modest, but it's impossible to imagine the history of television entertainment without him. He is one of the 'immortals'."
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE
Controller Peter Fincham said: "The loss of Ronnie Barker leaves an empty space on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE that can't easily be filled.
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"He was a great comedian who found his ideal medium in television where his performances radiated warmth, truth and humanity.
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"He appealed across the generations and to the widest possible audience. He'll be sorely missed."
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Wayne Garvie, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Head of Entertainment Group, said: "Ronnie is synonymous with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment.
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"The phenomenal success this year of The Two Ronnies Sketchbook illustrated the deep well of affection the British public have for one of our greatest-ever comic talents.
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"For those of us who worked on that series it was a privilege to witness at first hand his writing and performing genius."
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Beatrice Ballard, Creative Head, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment Events, was Executive Producer of The Two Ronnies Sketchbook and also Ronnie Barker - a BAFTA Tribute.
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She said: "Ronnie Barker was a comedy genius - he was both a brilliant performer and also an incredibly talented writer.
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"I was fortunate enough to work closely with Ronnie over the last three years - initially on Ronnie Barker - A BAFTA Tribute, which in turn led to the hugely successful Two Ronnies Sketchbook series, which transmitted on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE earlier this year and won huge audiences and critical acclaim.
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"Ronnie loved making the Sketchbook series, because he found a whole new generation were coming to enjoy and appreciate the brillaint sketches that he and Ronnie Corbett performed together.
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"Ronnie was a joy to work with - and had a fantastic sense of what worked as entertainment for the audience - he really had comedy in his bones.
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"He was also a lovely man, devoted to his wife Joy and their lovely family, and I will miss him hugely."
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Schedule changes
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ announced schedule changes following the death of Ronnie Barker.
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There will be a special programme on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE
at 10.35pm today (Tuesday 4 October) to celebrate Ronnie Barker's life, .and it's goodnight from him - a tribute to Ronnie Barker (This replaces the scheduled programme Drama Connections).
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At 8.30pm today on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO there will be an edition of Porridge (replaces What the Ancients Did For Us).
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On Friday (7 October) on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE
at 9.00pm there will be a repeat of the BAFTA Tribute to Ronnie Barker (This replaces My Family).
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