High Hopes

by Ronnie Corbett

The long-awaited autobiography of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.

“This is the exciting story of how I, Ronald Corbett, the son of an Edinburgh baker, found fame on television as one of The Two Ronnies and managed to meet a fabulous cast of extraordinary people along the way. First I’ll reveal the technique I developed for estimating the height of a girl before daring to ask her to dance. Then I’ll fearlessly tell of my arrival in London and job as a night-club barman. I’ll explain how I first met David Frost, John Cleese and Michael Palin, and once played Othello to Danny la Rue’s Desdemona, having just had dinner with Laurence Oliver. And then there was The Two Ronnies, an incredibly successful television show with a man in glasses who, rather spookily, had the same first name as me. I only hope my mother won’t be too shocked!”

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Comedy

394 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2000

About the author

Ronald Balfour "Ronnie" Corbett, CBE was a Scottish actor and comedian who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the television comedy series The Two Ronnies.

Reviews

[The Bauchler · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual choice for me, but well worth the punt.

Little Ron recounts his life in a piece meal fashion - but not like he's sitting in his famous chair.

The anecdotes are not told in the manner of a stand-up routine, or tall-tale at an after-dinner speech.

There's no crafted build up, amusing digression or well-timed punchline. They are personal recollections, and accordingly are better appreciated.

Having him reading the book adds to it, muchly.

This is a fascinating book for those who grew up when the Ronnies were kings of TV.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is required reading for all Ronnie Corbett and Two Ronnies' fans. I qualify on both counts and enjoyed every page and learned a few things as well. For example, I didn't realise he was such a golf fanatic and that he had served such a long apprenticeship on the 'boards' before he was given his big break on TV by David Frost. I will be quoting some of the one liners for all time (my wife is already sick of them) so clearly I need to get out more often.

[Jason Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this being an autobiography of Ronnie Corbett i was fearful that it was going to be bad jokes and constant talking about random stuff....it isnt. Its a great account of one half of arguably one of the best entertainment pair ever. Its everything you could imagine asking in a q and a sessions. From childhood to going on his own after Ronnie Barkers passing. A great light hearted read that you will enjoy as much as i did :)

[Paul Whitla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly not really very funny. Nothing controversial and nothing to get too excited about. Main thing was how he didn’t really see himself and Ronnie Barker as a double act, just two friends who worked together.

[David Stimpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmmmm

I thought this would be a lot 9pm better.. I thought He skimmed over his life and there was to much Waffle about things that didn't matter.

[Reason Restored · Rating 4 out of 5]

The much missed comedian Ronnie Corbett tells us of his rise through music hall and review (which he oddly calls by the American name Vaudeville), and for anyone who watched TV between the 1960s and the 2000s, its a warm and amusing reminiscence, a reminder of a time when everyone watched the same shows and from a giant of the acknowledged golden age of television.
It is necessarily full of the names and shows (on and off the box) that peopled the times, and there is a wonderful sense of continuity from the theatre of the pre-television years, all the way to the millennium and Ronnies revival at the hands of Ben Elton and other younger hipper talents. A nice reminder of the many laughs and the peculiarity British character and talents of one of the markers of 20c entertainment in Blighty

[F.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once you get past the introduction - which feels like one of the author's monologues, but without the jokes - then the rest is a perfectly fine celeb memoir. Affecting in parts, but without great revelations.

Corbett wants to be a nice guy, so that even when he's relating the story of a fellow actor who behaved disgracefully, he doesn't name him. Very honourable, but it does make you feel like you're missing out on the goss.

I did enjoy hearing about his friendship with fellow Edinburgh son, Sean Connery, however.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

was a nice read. but I do get bit bored when there very descriptive of places, people, rather than what actually went on.

[CWHulme]

M rd

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

very personal and full of lots of interesting treasures, not all about the two Ronnie's, sorry 🤣