Orville Ventriloquist Keith Harris Dies

Keith Harris, the ventriloquist famous for his TV appearances with Orville, has died aged 67.

He passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Tuesday morning after a long fight with cancer, his agent said.

Harris' showbiz career spanned more than 50 years.

The father-of-three had a number-four hit with Orville's Song in 1982 - selling 400,00 copies.

Between 1982 and 1990 he was a fixture of Saturday night TV with The Keith Harris Show on BBC One.

Harris, whose other sidekick was called Cuddles, performed at both Prince William and Prince Harry's third birthdays at the request of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Fellow entertainers Keith Chegwin, Paddy McGuinness, Paul Daniels and Julian Clary were among those to react to the news on Twitter.

Chegwin wrote: "So sad. A great entertainer and all round nice man Keith Harris has passed away. Best wishes to his family at this sad time. RIP x."

"RIP Keith Harris," said McGuinness. "A part of my childhood gone."

Magician Daniels posted: "R.I.P. Keith Harris ... 'bye Orville."

"Rest in peace Keith Harris. Lovely, funny talented man," added Clary.

The likes of Timmy Mallett, Les Dennis and Aled Jones also tweeted their sadness as "Keith Harris" trended number one in the UK.

After The Keith Harris Show came off air in 1990, the Hampshire-born star entertained families at Butlins.

In 2005 he won the Channel 5 programme The Farm.

Harris was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of cancer in 2013 after suffering swelling in his abdomen.

His agent, Robert C Kelly, said: "It is with great sadness I announce the death of my friend and client Keith Harris whom I have known for well over 20 years and managed for the past 15 years.

"I spoke to Keith most days whether we had business to do or not. I think I laughed every single time we spoke.

"Keith was not only a technically great ventriloquist, he was also a gifted mimic and an extraordinarily funny man both onstage and off.

"Perhaps even rarer than that in showbiz, he was a thoroughly decent man, a great friend and a wonderful father and husband."