Bit of a stir as Porridge star back fetches up where it all began, 60 years ago

A LIFE-SIZE bronze statue of comedian Ronnie Barker was unveiled yesterday in the presence of his former co-stars, Ronnie Corbett and Sir David Jason. The ceremony was preformed by Barker's widow, Joy, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, the town where The Two Ronnies and Open All Hours star began his acting career more than 60 years ago.

Sculptor Martin Jennings depicted Barker as prison inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher from the classic 1970s series Porridge.

The 5ft 6in statue shows the actor, who died aged 76 in 2005, sitting on a stone bench with his arms crossed and looking up at the town's new theatre, which opens next month.

John Cartwright, leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: "The statue is a fitting tribute to a great man and one of Britain's best-loved performers."

Born in Bedford in 1929, Barker worked in a bank before joining the Aylesbury Repertory Company. He made his professional debut in 1948, at the old County Theatre in the town's Market Square.