Ronnie Corbett, who was suffering from a form of motor neurone disease when he died, was reportedly being considered for a knighthood.
Tributes were paid to the diminutive star who died on Thursday, having been one of the country's most popular entertainers.
It is understood comedian David Walliams launched a campaign to include the 85-year-old on the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list as concerns about his health grew.
A panel which bestows the titles had received a number of letters from famous names in support of his nomination.
Downton Abbey creator Lord Fellowes, who sits on the arts and media honours committee, told The Daily Telegraph he thought "he [Corbett] should have been awarded a knighthood" - although he refused to discuss the workings of the panel.
Writing in the Daily Mail, a friend of the entertainer, Michael Thornton, said he contacted the Cabinet Office to propose a knighthood "several months ago".
He said there was a "virtual stampede on the part of celebrated figures" when it came to gathering letters in support of the nomination.
At the time Corbett was "fighting to survive" after being diagnosed with suspected amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a form of motor neurone disease, Mr Thornton said.
The entertainer's first honour came in 1978, when he was awarded the OBE alongside comedy partner Ronnie Barker.
The pair were household favourites at the time for their sketch show, The Two Ronnies.
In 2011 Corbett said he did not imagine he would receive a knighthood, adding that Barker, who died in 2005, should have been made Sir Ronnie.
Corbett was made CBE in 2012 but the knighthood that some people believed he deserved eluded him.
Speaking in 2015, Sir Bruce Forsyth questioned why figures from the world of comedy "seem to be left out".
The former Strictly Come Dancing host told Sky News on Thursday: "A great big hole has been left in show business."
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