Cryer warns duo not to return

Barry Cryer has warned the Two Ronnies that their planned comeback may be a mistake.

The veteran comic, who first wrote for Ronnie Corbett in 1960, said he had a "gut instinct" that they should think again as the comedy scene has changed so much in the past 20 years.

He told a charity dinner for Age Concern Scotland: "Brilliant as they were in the series, they could be making a mistake and that leaves me uneasy because I'm their biggest fan and I wouldn't like to see the critics sniping at them."

The pair decided to make a comeback following a recent Bafta tribute to Ronnie Barker, which coaxed him out of retirement.

"I don't know anything about the format of the new series," said Cryer. "I was one of a team of writers for them. They may rely on just one this time."

The BBC said the new show will feature Corbett, 73, and Barker, 74, in new sketches interspersed with some of their classic material.

Published: 9 Mar 2004