9am Briefing: Comedy legend Ronnie Corbett collapses in restaurant

His wife Anne Hart was today reported as saying: “He stood up, said ‘I feel terrible’ and fell on me. I thought he had died. I’ve never been so frightened.”

A doctor and five nurses sitting nearby rushed to help and the Edinburgh-born star was taken to hospital.

The scare happened in Croydon, south London, as the couple dined with their two daughters and four grandchildren to mark the CBE awarded in the New Year honours list.

The star, best known as one of The Two Ronnies, was transferred to a private clinic and later allowed home.

• A WOMAN had to be rescued from her flat after trying to put out a fire in her bedroom.

The incident has prompted fire chiefs to issue a warning to people not to try and tackle fires on their own.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called out to the property in Oak Place, Mayfield, Dalkeith, just after 7pm last night, after being alerted to the fire by a neighbour.

The householder, understood to be a 19 year old woman, had been trying to extinguish the fire herself but had succumbed to the smoke and was found slumped at the top of the stairs.

Firefighters helped her from the building and gave her oxygen until the arrival of an ambulance.

• FORMER X Factor finalist Kerry McGregor will be laid to rest today after losing her battle with bladder cancer.

The 37-year-old appeared on the third series of the talent show in 2006 which was eventually won by Leona Lewis. She was mentored by Sharon Osbourne and went out in the third week of the live finals.

The singer-songwriter, who lived with her partner and son in Pumpherston, West Lothian, used a wheelchair after breaking her back in an accident aged 13.

She was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 when she was 36 and died at home last Wednesday.

• A 25-YEAR-OLD woman was taken to hospital after the car she was driving left the road and hit a tree.

The incident happened at Harburn Road, West Calder just after 7.30pm yesterday.

The woman managed to free herself from the car, which ended up in a ditch on its side.

The casualty, who was suffering from minor injuries, was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

• CELEBRITY chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologised for his “stupid and irresponsible actions” after he was arrested for shoplifting cheese and wine at a supermarket.

The 60-year-old Ready Steady Cook star was cautioned by police after he was caught stealing from the Tesco store in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

He said: “I am so sorry for all my recent stupid and irresponsible actions. I am, of course, devastated for my family and friends, whom I’ve let down, and will seek the treatment that is clearly needed.”