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03/03/2006
Memorial service held for Ronnie Barker
A memorial service has taken place at London's Westminster Abbey for comedian Ronnie Barker who died last year.
The event was attended by around 2,000 people, including stars such as Sir David Jason, Stephen Fry and June Whitfield, as well as fans of the comedian who had been invited to apply for tickets by Barker's family.
Ronnie Corbett, Barker's long-running comic partner in the show 'The Two Ronnies' delivered the eulogy at the service. Actor Richard Briers, comedian Peter Kay and former BBC boss Michael Grade also read tributes to the star.
Barker, who died last October at the age of 76, was one of Britain's best-loved comedians. He become famous for his double-act with Ronnie Corbett in 'The Two Ronnies', but will always be remembered as the man behind two of the most loved characters in sitcom history - crafty con Fletch in 'Porridge' and the stuttering shopkeeper Arkwright in 'Open All Hours'.
It is only the third time that a comedian has received a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, after Joyce Grenfell in 1980 and Les Dawson in 1994.
Barker's widow Joy, his son Larry and daughter Charlotte also attended Friday's memorial service.
However, his other son Adam, who jumped bail last summer and left the UK after being arrested on suspicion of downloading pornographic images of children, was not expected to attend the service.
(KMcA/GB)
The event was attended by around 2,000 people, including stars such as Sir David Jason, Stephen Fry and June Whitfield, as well as fans of the comedian who had been invited to apply for tickets by Barker's family.
Ronnie Corbett, Barker's long-running comic partner in the show 'The Two Ronnies' delivered the eulogy at the service. Actor Richard Briers, comedian Peter Kay and former BBC boss Michael Grade also read tributes to the star.
Barker, who died last October at the age of 76, was one of Britain's best-loved comedians. He become famous for his double-act with Ronnie Corbett in 'The Two Ronnies', but will always be remembered as the man behind two of the most loved characters in sitcom history - crafty con Fletch in 'Porridge' and the stuttering shopkeeper Arkwright in 'Open All Hours'.
It is only the third time that a comedian has received a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, after Joyce Grenfell in 1980 and Les Dawson in 1994.
Barker's widow Joy, his son Larry and daughter Charlotte also attended Friday's memorial service.
However, his other son Adam, who jumped bail last summer and left the UK after being arrested on suspicion of downloading pornographic images of children, was not expected to attend the service.
(KMcA/GB)
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