Ronnie Barker became a cornerstone of British television comedy, achieving major success as one half of the sketch duo The Two Ronnies (1971–1987), which became a national institution drawing 15 to 20 million viewers. He also earned acclaim for his solo roles, particularly as the cunning prisoner Norman Stanley Fletcher in Porridge (1974–1977) and the stammering shopkeeper Arkwright in Open All Hours (1976–1985). A master of language and precise comic timing, Barker wrote much of his own material under pseudonyms such as “Gerald Wiley”, and retired from acting at 58 to pursue his passion for antiques.