'Ronnie Corbett is irreplaceable', says friend Jimmy Tarbuck

Jimmy Tarbuck choked up while talking about his friend Ronnie Corbett Credit: GMB

Comedian Ronnie Corbett is "irreplaceable" his friend Jimmy Tarbuck has declared today as he paid a touching tribute to the star.

In an emotional live interview Tarbuck, who was friends with the Scottish-born entertainer for more than 50 years, said: "When you miss a friend like him you know he's irreplaceable".

Revealing that he had been aware of Corbett's battle with motor neurone disease before he died yesterday, aged 85, Tarbuck choked up as he remembered his friend and told Good Morning Britain that the diminutive star had not wanted friends to see him during his illness.

Tarbuck also went on to describe how his friend had been a "terrific little man" who always made him laugh - even when he wasn't meant to.

He said: "I always had a laugh when I was with him and sometimes it was on the golf course and I shouldn't have been laughing at him and he would lose his temper and that would make me laugh more."

Ronnie Corbett and Jimmy Tarbuck had been friends for over 50 years Credit: Tim Ockenden/PA

Recalling how "everybody loved him; taxi drivers, doorman, royalty" the 76-year-old also urged viewers to "think of Corbett and think class" as he bid farewell to his former golf buddy live on air.