TV comedy writer Ronnie Wolfe dies in fall at 89

 

John Fahey
Tuesday 12 June 2012 11:15 BST
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Ronnie Wolfe, the writer of TV comedy classic On The Buses, has died after a fall, his son-in-law said tonight.

Mr Wolfe, 89, banged his head on Thursday after falling down the stairs at a respite home in London and died today.

Arif Hussein, who married his daughter Kathryn, said: "He was the kind of father-in-law most people dream about, absolutely.

"Most people talk about their in-laws as people who are interfering, but to me my in-laws were a dream.

"Ronnie was from day one, he was absolutely wonderful."

Mr Wolfe enjoyed a career spanning several decades and created dozens of situation comedies with writing partner Ronald Chesney, including the hit The Rag Trade.

The pair were known as The Other Two Ronnies and graduated from radio to television to film.

Tonight, Mr Wolfe's family celebrated the grandfather of four's life.

His wife Rose said: "It has been a really, really sad last few days and a quite horrendous and totally unexpectedly sad end for a guy who was so funny in life.

"He was the most incredible husband and we had 58 years of superb marriage harmony.

"I acted as his secretary and PA and typed and computed for him doing all the work he ever put out."

Mr Wolfe worked with some of Britain's most loved comics and actors including Kenneth Williams, Barbara Windsor, Sheila Hancock, Beryl Reid, Thora Hird and Benny Hill.

He had two daughters, Debbie, 52, and Kathryn, 55, a university lecturer.

Kathryn said: "My fondest memories of my dad are that he was the funniest, most generous person I could have wished to have.

"He was funny in public with the huge legacy left behind and funny in private.

"We are going through boxes of funny letters he wrote to me as a child.

"I couldn't have wished to have a better father."

Mr Chesney said: "We were together 50 years - it's like losing my brother."

PA

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