The Two Ronnies: In Their Own Words. Image shows from L to R: Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker. Copyright: Richard Young / REX / Shutterstock

Key details

Genre
Documentary
Broadcast
2018
Channel
Channel 5
Episodes
1
Features
Sophie Corbett, Terry Hughes, Paul Jackson, Barry Cryer, Arthur Quinn, Rob Brydon, George Frost, Sheila Steafel and more
Directors
Liam Carroll and Sarah Hunt
Producers
Liam Carroll, Will Smith and Kelly Quintyne
Company

This nostalgic delight celebrates the lives and careers of one of Britain's greatest ever comedy pairings, telling the story of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett by delving into the archives and piecing together some of the best footage they ever recorded.

As well as digging out great performances, chat show appearances, and rare and long-forgotten archive material, the programme also features contributions from family, friends and colleagues. The stories behind these two legends of British entertainment are told in their own words and by those who knew them best.

The background behind their television debut is revisited - it was another broadcasting giant who first spotted their potential as a double act and put them together for the first time in a mere four-word sketch. It was a simple technical breakdown at the BAFTAs that led to one of the greatest decisions in comedy history.

Among the secrets revealed is the story of how one of the biggest disasters in the West End changed Ronnie Corbett's life forever. Another revelation is how, in a Chinese restaurant in Wembley, Ronnie Barker came clean about a secret that he had kept hidden for years, even from Ronnie Corbett. The show relives the duo's meteoric rise and celebrates the legacy of one of the most successful comedy acts in British TV history.

With its memorable format - including sharp sketches, pismronunciation, meandering monologues and bespectacled news anchors - The Two Ronnies was event TV, reaching an audience of 17 million at its peak . The story of The Two Ronnies is a fantastic tale of two true giants of the small screen - and who better to tell it than The Two Ronnies themselves?

Additional details

Also known as
  • The Two Ronnies: In My Own Words
  • In My Own Words - The Two Ronnies
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Monday 1st January 2018 at 8pm on Channel 5
Episode length
120 minutes
Most recent repeats
  • Tuesday 26th December 2023 at 10:00pm on C5
  • Tuesday 18th December 2018 at 10:00pm on C5
  • Monday 18th June 2018 at 9:00pm on C5

Share this page