Ronnie Barker was born on the 25th of September 1929. at an early age Barker was writing plays for family and friends. this was to be the start of lengthy life in theatre and television. at the age of 19 Barker was working for the Plahouse Theatre under actor mangement by Frank Shelley. Barker would later refer to Shelley as ' one of the three wise men who directed my career, without men like these, there would be no theatre.' Barker then moved on to be an actor and assistant stage manager with the Manchester Repertory Company. Barker's first radio and indeed sitcom appearance was in 1956 where he played characters in The Navy Lark. Barker first began to act with David Jason in the sitcom Hark at Barker between 1961-63. in 1973 the first episode of porridge was broadcast which Barker rgarded as his finest work. on the morning of October 3rd 2005 Ronald William George Barker sadly died due to heart failure. His life and work was honoured at the British Acedemy Television AWards in 2006.