Ronald William George Barker ( 25 September 1929 â `` 3 October 2005 ) , popularly known as Ronnie Barker and ( as a writer ) Gerald Wiley , was an English comic actor and writer . Ronald William George `` Ronnie '' Barker , OBE ( 25 September 1929 â `` 3 October 2005 ) was a British actor , comedian , writer , broadcaster and businessman .