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Ronnie Corbett

4 Extra Debut. From Fred Astaire to Danny La Rue, entertainer Ronnie Corbett shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young. From October 2007.

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.

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45 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Jun 2016 12:00
大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra

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Music Played

  • Fred Astaire

    Change Partners

    • Fred Astaire Sings.
    • MCA.

  • Glasgow Orpheus Choir

    By Cool Siloam's Shady Rill

    • The Glasgow Orpheus Choir - 20 classic recordings.
    • Moidart Music.

  • Mel Torm茅 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.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • 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 Face

    • Another Trump in a Great Career.
    • RCA.

  • Book Choice

    • Untold Stories - Alan Bennett

  • Luxury Choice

    • A hammock

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Ronnie Corbett

Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 Oct 2007 11:15
    大象传媒 Radio 4
  • Fri 26 Oct 2007 09:00
    大象传媒 Radio 4
  • Sat 4 Jun 2016 12:00
    大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra

Featured in...

8 Reasons why we loved Ronnie Corbett

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