Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 39 on 23/06/2008.

This article is 5 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.

Ronnie Corbett

Comedian Ronnie Corbett loves Scotland and has stayed close to his Scottish roots

It should come as no great surprise to learn that Ronnie Corbett, now a muchloved British institution, should be toying with the idea of presenting a new television series about malt whisky.

Although his career has taken him across the world he has always stayed close to his Scottish roots, living with his wife in an idyllic setting there, donning tartan trousers whenever he gets the opportunity, and spending many hours on the country’s better golf courses. Now a sprightly 77, he divides his time between semi-retirement in Scotland and selected and periodic work.

As is generally known, Ronnie Corbett was born in Edinburgh on 4th December 1930. His father, William Corbett, was originally a baker and married Annie Main in 1926, also in Edinburgh. Ronnie was the oldest of their three children.

The family lived in the Marchmont area of the city, a pleasant suburb of middle-class tenement blocks, now much favoured by students at the nearby university.

Young Ronnie seems to have developed an interest in the theatre at a relatively early age and was involved in amateur dramatics as a teenager, and after completing his National Service, he headed off to London to try his luck in showbusiness.

Father William Corbett was also Edinburgh born and lived there all his life (1898 to 1974). He died on Prestonfield golf course at the age of 75, a fate dreamed of by many a fanatical golfer. William’s parents, Walter and Isabella Allan, raised a family of four children in Edinburgh until I.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Scotland Magazine to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Sally Toms

Section : Scotland Genealogy

Page number : 63