The 5-Minute Interview: Ronnie Corbett, Comedian and actor
'People are less interested in each other than they used to be'
Published: 23 May 2007
Ronnie Corbett, 76, best known as one of 'The Two Ronnies', will present an award at The Stroke Association's annual Life After Stroke Awards today at Claridge's, London
I am supporting The Stroke Association because...
My wife had an aortic heart valve transplant and suffered a stroke after surgery and I had a transient ischemic attack where I lost the power of my index finger for about a day. There's a great deal of work done to get people over strokes. It's a very good cause.
If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...
Wandering out on the golf course with my two dogs for a stroll before lunch.
A phrase I use far too often is...
Let me think about that and I'll let you know tomorrow.
I wish people would take more notice of...
Each other. In shops, restaurants and golf courses. People on the golf course are less interested in the people they're playing than they used to be.
The most surprising thing that happened to me was...
When I played golf in Adelaide and just before us was the great Sir Don Bradman. It was probably 14 or 15 years ago. He was such a shy person I didn't bother him. There was an unspoken exchange in our eyes.
I'm not a politician but...
I'm very glad.
I'm good at...
Cooking and punctuality.
But I'm very bad at...
Gardening.
The ideal night out...
Would be with my wife Anne for a quiet, beautifully tasty light dinner.
In moments of weakness...
The most beautiful millefeuille they used to make at La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakesh. I've never tasted anything like it anywhere. My dad was a baker and I knew what millefeuille looked like.
You know me as a comedian and actor, but in a truer life I'd have been...
A chef.
The best age to be is...
Late thirties/early forties. You might have made a few bob and you still have the energy to enjoy it.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:
Try to have the answers before you have the question. In other words, prepare for all eventualities - be well armoured.
-------------------