Stars from the golden age of British television are expected to pay their respects to comedian Ronnie Corbett when he is laid to rest.
The entertainer died last month aged 85 having been diagnosed with a suspected form of motor neurone disease.
Ronnie Corbett and wife Anne in 2014 (Philip Toscano/PA)
A funeral service attended by family and friends will be held on Monday at the St John the Evangelist Church near his home in Shirley, Croydon, south London, before the cortege moves on to a local crematorium. It will be followed by a private wake at a nearby golf club.
A notable absence is possible among the mourners as Sir Bruce Forsyth, who performed alongside the diminutive comedian, is understood to be too ill to attend as he recovers from surgery.
Comedian and friend Jimmy Tarbuck is expected to join the send-off.
Long-time friend Sir Bruce Forsyth is too ill to attend the funeral (PA)
Ronnie became a household favourite in the 1970s alongside Ronnie Barker in their light entertainment television show, The Two Ronnies, and continued to appear on screen into his 80s.
He is survived by Anne Hart, his wife of 50 years, and daughters Emma and Sophie.
According to reports, his widow suffered a health scare as she prepared for the funeral, and required tests in hospital.
Michael Thornton, a long-standing friend of the family, told the Daily Mail: “I’m extremely relieved to be able to say that Anne is OK. They only kept her in for a couple of days for a safety-first health examination, and she is now back home with her family around her.”
