Ronnie Corbett’s funeral to take place next week

The comedy great passed away almost two weeks ago at the age of 85

Ronnie Corbett (PA)

The world of entertainment is set to bid a final farewell to Ronnie Corbett next week when his funeral takes place.

It is expected famous faces will gather alongside other friends and family as the 85-year-old's life is remembered in a church near his home in south London on Monday.

The Two Ronnies star, who has been hailed as a “true great of British comedy”, died on March 31 with a suspected form of motor neurone disease.

Corbett was one of Britain's best-loved entertainers and his partnership with Ronnie Barker in the BBC sketch show was one of the most popular of the 1970s and 1980s.

The funeral, which is by invitation only, will take place at St John the Evangelist Church, Shirley, followed by a short service at Croydon Crematorium, family friend Michael Thornton said.

It is expected the comedian's daughters will pay tribute, and a wake will follow at Addington Golf Club.

Remembering Corbett, Mr Thornton said: “I think he'll be tremendously missed by his friends but I actually think he'll be around in people's minds and hearts for a long time to come.

“I hope it will be a fitting send-off.”

At the time of his death Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, described Corbett as “quite simply one of the true greats of British comedy”.

Press Association.