Comedy

Two Ronnies

The Two Ronnies were a famous British comedy duo consisting of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.

• The Two Ronnies was a British television comedy show that ran from 1971 to 1987, with over 12 series and 90 episodes. It featured the comedy duo Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett performing a variety of sketches, musical numbers, and stand-up routines.
• One of the most famous sketches from the show is the "Four Candles" routine. It involved a hilarious mix-up between a man asking for "four candles" and the shopkeeper misunderstanding it as "fork handles." This sketch became iconic and is still one of the most quoted bits from British comedy.
• Despite being a duo, the two had very distinct comedic styles. Ronnie Barker, known for his mastery of wordplay and character acting, often played more serious or grumpy roles. Ronnie Corbett, on the other hand, was known for his self-deprecating humour and "short man" persona, often sitting in a chair during sketches and delivering punchlines with great timing.

Tommy Cooper

Tommy Cooper (1921–1984) was a famous British comedian and magician.

• He was best known for combining magic tricks with comedy. He would often perform tricks that went hilariously wrong, deliberately botching them as part of his act. His persona was that of a bumbling magician who would make mistakes, but his charm and delivery made these mistakes part of the fun.
• Cooper was instantly recognisable for his signature look: wearing a fez (a type of hat), a suit, and often sporting a large mustache. This distinctive look, along with his physical comedy style, made him a memorable figure in British television and stage comedy.
• Tragically, Tommy Cooper passed away during a live television broadcast in 1984. While performing his routine on the live show Live from Her Majesty's, he collapsed on stage from a heart attack. Unbeknownst to the audience, they initially thought it was part of his act. His death shocked the public and is remembered as one of the most tragic moments in British television history.

Tommy Cooper's legacy lives on, as his unique combination of magic, humour, and audience rapport made him a true icon in British comedy.

Patsy Stone and Bubble

Patsy Stone and Bubble are two beloved characters from the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (often abbreviated as Ab Fab). The show, which aired from 1992 to 2012, was created by Jennifer Saunders and starred Saunders as Edina Monsoon, with these two characters playing key supporting roles.

• Patsy Stone (played by Joanna Lumley) is one of the most iconic characters from Absolutely Fabulous. She is Edina Monsoon's best friend and is portrayed as a wealthy, glamorous, and often deluded woman. Patsy is a former model and magazine editor who is obsessed with youth, beauty, and indulgence. She's known for her love of alcohol, smoking, and partying, and her character often displays an exaggerated sense of entitlement. Despite her over-the-top behaviour, Patsy’s deadpan humour and dry wit made her a fan favourite. Her catchphrase, "Sweetie darling," is instantly recognisable.
• Bubble (played by Jane Horrocks) is Edina's dim-witted, eccentric assistant. She’s lovable but somewhat clueless and often makes absurd comments or blunders. Bubble's comedic charm comes from her lack of self-awareness and her unique perspective on life. She often wears quirky clothes and has a funny, awkward demeanour. Although she’s not the brightest character, she adds a lot of heart and humour to the show with her quirky sayings and sweet nature. One of her memorable traits is her long-running attempts to be taken seriously, despite her obvious lack of common sense.

Together, Patsy and Bubble add a hilarious, larger-than-life dimension to Absolutely Fabulous. The combination of these characters’ over the top antics and wit helped make Ab Fab a cult classic.

Barbara Windsor

Barbara Windsor (1937–2020) was a renowned British actress, best known for her work in both film and television. She became a beloved figure in British popular culture and is especially remembered for her long-running role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and for her iconic appearances in the Carry On films.

• Barbara Windsor is perhaps most famous for her role as Peggy Mitchell in the long-running soap opera EastEnders, which she joined in 1994. Peggy was a strong, sometimes fiery character who ran the local pub, the Queen Vic, and became a central figure in the show. Windsor's portrayal of Peggy won her widespread admiration and earned her several awards.
• She gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s as one of the stars of the Carry On comedy films, a series of British films known for their slapstick humour and double entendre. Windsor's performances in these films, often as a fun-loving, cheeky character, made her a household name.
• Beyond her professional work, Barbara Windsor was widely loved for her vibrant personality, generosity, and resilience. She was a passionate advocate for various causes, including charity work for Alzheimer's disease, as she herself was diagnosed with the illness in later years. Windsor's life and career were celebrated not just for her acting, but for her warmth and kindness. She passed away in December 2020, leaving behind a legacy in British television and film.

Bruce Forsyth

Bruce Forsyth (1928–2017) was a legendary British television presenter, comedian, and entertainer. He became one of the most beloved figures in British television, known for his warm personality, professionalism, and ability to connect with both audiences and contestants.

• Bruce Forsyth is perhaps best known for hosting several popular British TV shows, including The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, and Strictly Come Dancing. His role as the host of The Generation Game made him a household name. He also famously hosted Play Your Cards Right in the 1980s and 1990s, a game show that became a staple of British television.
• Before becoming a TV presenter, Bruce Forsyth had a background in entertainment as a dancer, singer, and comedian. He was a versatile performer who could do everything from singing and dancing to stand-up comedy. He had a long-running stage career, including appearances in variety shows and musical theatre. His skills as a dancer were particularly showcased later when he became a host of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
• Forsyth's career spanned over 70 years and he was knighted in 2011 for his services to entertainment.
• Known for his catchphrases like "Nice to see you, to see you nice!" and "Give us a twirl!" Forsyth's

Morecambe and Wise

Morecambe and Wise were one of the most iconic British comedy duos of all time, consisting of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Their partnership became legendary, and they are best remembered for their television variety shows, where they combined slapstick humour, witty dialogue, and musical performances.

• They met in the early 1940s and formed their comedy partnership in the 1940s. They performed together on stage before transitioning to television, where they became household names. Morecambe was known for his cheeky humour and physical comedy, while Wise was the more strait-laced, often exasperated straight man to Morecambe's antics.
• Morecambe and Wise became famous for their television variety shows, particularly The Morecambe and Wise Show, which aired from 1968 to 1977 and then continued in various forms until the late 1980s. Their shows featured a mix of sketches, musical numbers, and celebrity appearances, often with a recurring theme of their comedic "double act," where Wise would try to maintain order while Morecambe would constantly throw him off course with silly antics and witty one-liners.
• Some of their most famous moments include their annual Christmas specials, which became a tradition for families. Their 1977 Christmas special, which featured a guest appearance by Sir Laurence Olivier, is considered one of the highlights of their career.

Paddy McGuinness

Paddy McGuinness is a British television presenter, comedian, and actor known for is warm presence and down-to-earth personality.

• Paddy McGuinness became widely known as the host of the popular ITV game show Take Me Out, which aired from 2010 to 2019. The show featured contestants trying to win a date with one of a panel of single women, with McGuinness as the cheeky, entertaining host. His catchphrase, "No likey, no lighty!", became synonymous with the show.
• He's also a host on the BBC's A Question of Sport, a long-running sports quiz show.
• Before becoming a presenter, McGuinness was part of the stand-up comedy scene. His comedy often revolves around observational humour and self-deprecating jokes.
• He starred in the sitcom Phoenix Nights alongside Peter Kay, which gave him wider recognition in the comedy world. McGuinness has also appeared in The Keith Lemon Sketch Show and other comedy programs.