Comic genius Ronnie Barker, a familiar face in his antique shop for 11 years, decided this year that he no longer wanted to be Open All Hours.

After retiring from showbusiness more than a decade ago, Barker opened The Emporium antiques shop in The Horsefair, Chipping Norton.

Collectors would call into his shop to buy or sell - on the off-chance that the affable Barker would be behind the counter.

The comedian had established himself as one of the nation's best-loved comics in the popular TV double act The Two Ronnies, with Ronnie Corbett.

But the 70-year-old, from Dean Mill, near Chadlington, recently confessed that the most fun he had in showbiz was playing shopkeeper Arkwright alongside David Jason in Open All Hours.

Now, after taking the decision in July to close his antiques shop, which he referred to as an "expensive hobby", some of his best antiques, fine art and collectables are going under the hammer.

At 10.30am on Tuesday, Cotswolds-based fine art auctioneers Tayler & Fletcher are holding a sale at the Frogmill Hotel, Andoversford, in Gloucestershire, which will contain valuable items from Mr Barker's personal collection and show business life.

Mr Barker was forced to close his business because it was losing money.

But over the years, he managed to take home many old postcards, cigarette cards, coins and stamps.

One item being auctioned on Tuesday is Lot 407, a watercolour study of a can-can dancer, modelling a costume design, which was painted for one of his early TV shows in 1969. The comedian, who was recently reunited on screen with Ronnie Corbett, to present a tribute night to The Two Ronnies, has written a special explanation about the background to the painting for the buyer. Tayler & Fletcher's fine art auctioneer and valuer Martin Lambert explained: "Some of Mr Barker's most interesting items will go up for auction on March 11, when collectables will go under the hammer at the British Legion Hall in Bourton-on-the-Water.

"One item is a real piece of showbusiness history - Mr Barker's wicker trunk which he carried all his costumes in throughout his career.

"It's a shame that Mr Barker has decided to retire from the antiques world.

"He was a popular face at the auctions, instantly recognisable in his trademark black-rimmed glasses.

"He was very knowledgeable about the business, particularly antique postcards.

"I gather he has a private collection of at least 10,000 but I don't think he will be parting with it.

"I have been in the industry for 23 years and when I met him I was very impressed by his broad knowledge."

After a second "career", the popular comic will now be able to enjoy his retirement properly with his wife of 42 years Joy, who helped him to run the shop.

With three children and grandchildren, he has plenty to keep him busy.

Although Ronnie B said that his one-off show with Ronnie Corbett was going to be just that - a one-off, he has just been persuaded to join Corbett for a "one-off" Millennium sketch.

Story date: Saturday 23 October

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