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Last broadcast on Fri, 26 Oct 2007, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Kirsty Young's castaway this week is an entertainer so central to British popular culture he can be identified by the outline of his glasses alone - Ronnie Corbett. For more than 50 years, from late night reviews to prime-time sit-coms, his comic talents have made us laugh and made us love him; a nattily turned out national treasure with a quick wit and a ready smile.
His success is due, of course, to his own ability but also to two enduring and remarkable partnerships. Along with Ronnie Barker, he formed one of the great TV duos of all time whilst his 40-year marriage to his wife Ann saw her abandon her flourishing entertainment career to sustain him through the vicissitudes of fame and family life. Ronnie Corbett looks back over his life and career, from his days in review at Danny La Rue's club to his last ever programme with Ronnie Barker - a moment that brought them both to tears.
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: Music Maestro Please by Ann Hart
Book: Untold Stories by Alan Bennett
Luxury: A hammock.
Archive audio
This episode of Desert Island Discs is from the archive.
Music played
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Fred Astaire
— Change PartnersFred Astaire Sings, MCA -
Glasgow Orpheus Choir — By Cool Siloam's Shady Rill
The Glasgow Orpheus Choir - 20 classic recordings, Moidart Music -
Mel Tormé and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette — Walk Between Raindrops
Reunion, Concord Jazz -
Danny La Rue — I’ll Be Seeing You
I Am What I Am, Elite -
Ann Hart — Music Maestro Please
Music Maestro Please/Will I Never Learn, Parlophone -
Leonard Bernstein
— Candide (Overture)Artist: Original Broadway cast from 1956
Candide, Sony Broadway -
Bobby Short — I Like the Likes of You
50 By Bobby Short, Atlantic -
Anthony Newley
— Look at That FaceAnother Trump in a Great Career, RCA
Broadcasts
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Sun 21 Oct 200711:15
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Fri 26 Oct 200709:00
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