British Comedy Awards writing prize renamed to honour Barker

The British Comedy Awards have renamed one of its annual accolades in tribute to the late Ronnie Barker.

The Writer of the Year Award will now be known as the Ronnie Barker Writer of the Year Award and will be presented at the ceremony by former comedy partner Ronnie Corbett. David Jason, who co-starred with Barker in Open All Hours, will introduce a selection of film clips in honour of the 76-year-old star, who died in October.

Barker’s widow Joy said: “I know Ronnie would have been delighted. Throughout his career he thought writers were so important and were to be encouraged.”

Writers’ Guild of Great Britain chairman David Nobbs, who was also one of the first writers on the Two Ronnies. The show, fronted by Jonathan Ross, will be broadcast on ITV1 on December 14.