Show Business in Britain last night mourned comedian Ernie Wise after he lost his battle for life following a major heart operation.
The 73-year-old star, whose double act with Eric Morecambe was cherished widely, died earlier in hospital, his wife Doreen said. He had a triple bypass operation in Florida in January but returned to Britain this month.
Ms Doreen Wise said of her husband: "We have had ups and downs for quite a while, but he is finally gone."
Tributes from fellow entertainers poured in, while the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, was said to be "very saddened" at the news.
Entertainer Des O'Connor, a friend of Eric and Ernie for many years, said: "At least now they are reunited. And knowing Eric, he will say: `You're late again.'
Culture Secretary Mr Chris Smith said: "Together with Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise produced some of the best comedy ever seen on British television, and brought laughter and enjoyment to millions of people.
"It is a testament to their work that it is still enjoyed as much today as when it was first shown."
Mr Wise fell ill at his holiday home in Boca Raton, on Florida's east coast, days after celebrating his birthday last November. His death brings the final curtain down on arguably Britain's greatest and best-loved comedy team.
Ernie - the one with the legendary "short, fat, hairy legs" - made a career out of providing the laughs for his partner Eric Morecambe.
For four decades "Little Ern" was on the receiving end of a comic genius and the butt of so many publicly celebrated jokes, not least his "toupee" of which Eric would often joke: "You can't see the join."
But Ernie loved the schoolboy humour and so did the public, who laughed with them year after year.
Eric and Ern set out to be the best double act in the world. They were certainly one of the best-loved and brought sunshine and laughter to millions.
Their Christmas specials became television classics and as traditional a part of the festive season as Queen Elizabeth's speech.
Ernie accepted he was "number two" in the act and said Eric was the "show" while he was the "business".
When Eric died of a heart attack in May 1984, he left a gaping hole in British comedy and in Ernie's life. Ernie launched himself into a solo career and was offered plenty of work but the magical formula had gone.
Ernest Wiseman was born in November 1925 in Leeds. The son of a railway porter, Ernie was the eldest of five children who lived in a tiny railway cottage in Wakefield. He began his career at the age of seven in a song and dance act with his father Harry.
He left school at 13 and teamed up with Eric when he was 16, in a show at Swansea called Youth Takes A Bow. They started out as a clog-dancer called Wiseman and a funny boy with a lollipop called Bartholomew. But Wiseman and Bartholomew was too long to fit across the billboards and they became Morecambe and Wise. The partnership was to last 43 years.
The pair conceived their double act on a train journey from Birmingham to Coventry during the Blitz. They were separated during the war but went from strength to strength afterwards.
Among the honours bestowed on them - they were mentioned in Who's Who and have waxworks in Madam Tussauds - were OBEs awarded in 1976.
After a childhood where he had very little, Ernie was careful with money and never took a healthy bank balance for granted.
His only indulgences were eating out and a Rolls Royce.
In 1985 he fulfilled a lifetime ambition by appearing in a Hollywood television comedy.
In May 1987 he launched himself into his first West End musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood but it closed after eight weeks.
In October 1989 he jetted round the world in 80 hours to raise money for the heart charity Corda. He said he never wanted to give up working but, in failing health, decided to bow out of showbusiness at the age of 70.
He said at the time: "Once I had the first stroke I realised I was finished."