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It's Hello from Him
Book by Barker, Ronnie
206 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
15 people want to read
About the author
Ronnie Barker
72 books6 followersRonald William George Barker, OBE was an English actor, comedian, writer, broadcaster and businessman. He was known for his roles in various British comedy television series, such as The Frost Report, Porridge, The Two Ronnies and Open All Hours.
Born in Bedford, he began his acting career in repertory theatre and decided he was best suited to performing comic roles. Barker gained his first acting successes at the Oxford Playhouse and later in various roles in the West End including Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound. During this period, he became a cast member on BBC radio and television comedy programmes such as The Navy Lark. Barker got his television break with the satirical sketch series The Frost Report in 1966 where he met future collaborator Ronnie Corbett. He joined David Frost's production company and was to star in a number ITV shows including a short film during this period.
However, it was after rejoining the BBC that he found fame with the sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971—1986) with Ronnie Corbett. After the series of pilots called Seven of One, he gained starring roles in the sitcoms Porridge, its sequel Going Straight and Open All Hours. Apart from being a performer, he was noted as a comedy writer both under his own name and the pseudonym Gerald Wiley, which Barker adopted to avoid pre-judgements of his talent. Barker won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance four times, amongst other awards, and received an OBE in 1978.
Later television sitcoms such as The Magnificent Evans and Clarence were less successful and he decided to retire in 1987. After his retirement, he opened an antiques shop with his wife, Joy. After 1997, he appeared in a number of smaller, non-comic roles in films.
Barker's writing style was "based on precise scripts and perfect timing." It often involved playing with language, including humour involving such linguistic items as spoonerisms and double entendres. He "preferred innuendo over the crudely explicit, a restraint that demanded some imagination from the audience and was the essence of his comedy." He "never liked sex or obscenity on television, but there was no shortage of frisky gags in The Two Ronnies". Corbett said he had "a mastery of the English language".
Born in Bedford, he began his acting career in repertory theatre and decided he was best suited to performing comic roles. Barker gained his first acting successes at the Oxford Playhouse and later in various roles in the West End including Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound. During this period, he became a cast member on BBC radio and television comedy programmes such as The Navy Lark. Barker got his television break with the satirical sketch series The Frost Report in 1966 where he met future collaborator Ronnie Corbett. He joined David Frost's production company and was to star in a number ITV shows including a short film during this period.
However, it was after rejoining the BBC that he found fame with the sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971—1986) with Ronnie Corbett. After the series of pilots called Seven of One, he gained starring roles in the sitcoms Porridge, its sequel Going Straight and Open All Hours. Apart from being a performer, he was noted as a comedy writer both under his own name and the pseudonym Gerald Wiley, which Barker adopted to avoid pre-judgements of his talent. Barker won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance four times, amongst other awards, and received an OBE in 1978.
Later television sitcoms such as The Magnificent Evans and Clarence were less successful and he decided to retire in 1987. After his retirement, he opened an antiques shop with his wife, Joy. After 1997, he appeared in a number of smaller, non-comic roles in films.
Barker's writing style was "based on precise scripts and perfect timing." It often involved playing with language, including humour involving such linguistic items as spoonerisms and double entendres. He "preferred innuendo over the crudely explicit, a restraint that demanded some imagination from the audience and was the essence of his comedy." He "never liked sex or obscenity on television, but there was no shortage of frisky gags in The Two Ronnies". Corbett said he had "a mastery of the English language".
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 29, 2014
Ronnie Barker was one of my favourite comedians and I will forever be in love with The Two Ronnies. Barker's life seems to be one full of hard work but no seismic events, at least as he has portrayed it here. I can't think of a reason to recommend this book to anyone who isn't already a big fan. A pleasant read but quite non-eventful.
February 16, 2025
Ronnie Barker’s voice resonates beautifully in "It's Hello from him," a work penned shortly after his retirement from the entertainment industry in 1988. While it may have benefited from additional length, Barker consistently leaves his audiences eager for more (and duly obliges in a further autobiography some years later).
In this memoir, he reflects on his experiences across stage, radio, film, and television, guiding readers through the peaks and valleys of his career while sharing stories about his colleagues in the industry. One memorable moment in the book features Barker humorously recounting his advice to fellow actors Maggie Smith and David Warner to abandon their acting pursuits. Another chapter unveils the genuine inspiration behind the iconic "Fork Handles" sketch from "The Two Ronnies," and readers are treated to a charming anecdote about the legendary Eric Morecambe, who once visited Ronnie’s family home for dinner.
The autobiography also offers a glimpse into Barker’s life as a devoted father and husband, highlighting his affection for his wife, Joy. When discussing his television work on shows such as "The Two Ronnies," "Porridge," and "Open All Hours," Barker’s admiration for co-stars like Ronnie Corbett, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, David Jason, and Josephine Tewson is evident through delightful stories and heartfelt tributes. Additionally, he shares a memorable encounter with Robert Shaw on the set of "Robin and Marian," where he triumphed over the actor in a game of boules.
After a week filled with emotional ups and downs, this autobiography from a beloved comedy icon provided several “sunny hours” (as Ronnie describes his stories) and is a much-needed and enjoyable reading experience.
In this memoir, he reflects on his experiences across stage, radio, film, and television, guiding readers through the peaks and valleys of his career while sharing stories about his colleagues in the industry. One memorable moment in the book features Barker humorously recounting his advice to fellow actors Maggie Smith and David Warner to abandon their acting pursuits. Another chapter unveils the genuine inspiration behind the iconic "Fork Handles" sketch from "The Two Ronnies," and readers are treated to a charming anecdote about the legendary Eric Morecambe, who once visited Ronnie’s family home for dinner.
The autobiography also offers a glimpse into Barker’s life as a devoted father and husband, highlighting his affection for his wife, Joy. When discussing his television work on shows such as "The Two Ronnies," "Porridge," and "Open All Hours," Barker’s admiration for co-stars like Ronnie Corbett, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, David Jason, and Josephine Tewson is evident through delightful stories and heartfelt tributes. Additionally, he shares a memorable encounter with Robert Shaw on the set of "Robin and Marian," where he triumphed over the actor in a game of boules.
After a week filled with emotional ups and downs, this autobiography from a beloved comedy icon provided several “sunny hours” (as Ronnie describes his stories) and is a much-needed and enjoyable reading experience.
September 16, 2024
A highly entertaining read, from someone who could never have done anything else but entertain. Barker tackles his life story episodically/thematically with many funny stories along the way. Mostly it's about his career, which is fine by me. I enjoyed finding out about his early acting in repertory theatre and how he progressed. All too soon we were at the end of the book.
June 3, 2018
An excellent autobiography.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews