British comedy great Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85

London : Ronnie Corbett, one of Britain's most successful comedians best known for "The Two Ronnies", his double-act show with Ronnie Barker, has died aged 85, his publicist said Thursday.

The show ran on the BBC from 1971 to 1987 and was one of the most popular light entertainment shows of the era. 

Its opening titles featured the two sets of spectacles worn by its stars and it regularly closed with one of the best-known catchphrases on British television: "It's goodnight from me... and it's goodnight from him."

A statement from his publicist said: "Ronnie Corbett CBE, one of the nation's best-loved entertainers, passed away this morning, surrounded by his loving family.

"They have asked that their privacy is respected at this very sad time."

Corbett's other celebrated roles included in 1960s satirical comedy show "The Frost Report" and "Sorry!", a 1980s sitcom about a fortysomething librarian who lives with his domineering mother and timid father.

Prime Minister David Cameron and British comedians rushed to pay tribute to Corbett following his death.

Cameron said Corbett had "the rare talent of making all generations laugh" and that he would be remembered as "one of the all time great comedians".

Ricky Gervais, who cast Corbett in an episode of his sitcom "Extras" in 2006, wrote on Twitter: "RIP the lovely, funny legend Ronnie Corbett. It was an absolute honour & joy to have known him."

Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, called Corbett "quite simply one of the true greats of British comedy".

Corbett, who was born in Edinburgh in 1930, leaves behind a wife and two daughters.