Keith Harris
Entertainer Keith Harris, best known for performances with his puppet Orville, has died, aged 67.
His agent Robert C Kelly confirmed the news on twitter."Sad to announce death from cancer of my client, dear friend and great talent, Keith Harris," he wrote.
Harris had his own BBC One Saturday night programme The Keith Harris Show and had a top 10 hit with Orville's Song, popularly known as I Wish I Could Fly, in 1982.
Orville was his most famous creation - an innocent green duck in an oversized nappy, who was relentlessly taunted by Harris's other character, Cuddles the monkey.
Among those paying tribute were singer and broadcaster Aled Jones, who said: "Sad to hear of the death of Keith Harris - sending best wishes to his family and friends."
"So sad," tweeted presenter Keith Chegwin. "A great entertainer and all round nice man Keith Harris has passed away. Best wishes to his family at this sad time. RIP x"
Comedian Julian Clary described Harris as a "lovely, funny talented man."
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Very sad to hear that Keith Harris has died after a battle with cancer. Brought joy to my childhood."
Actor and comedian Paddy McGuinness said: "RIP Keith Harris. A part of my childhood gone."
The Keith Harris Show ran for eight years from 1982 to 1990, and the entertainer appeared on a total of five Royal, and Children's Royal Variety Performances.
At the personal request of Diana, Princess of Wales, Keith gave private performances at Highgrove House for Prince William's third birthday and then at Kensington Palace for Prince Harry's third birthday.
In the 2000s, he reinvented himself as an X-rated ventriloquist, touring student unions with his adult show, Duck Off.
He appeared in the 2002 documentary When Louis met Keith Harris; and won the Channel Five reality show The Farm in 2005.
But he turned down the chance to appear in Ricky Gervais's comedy series Extras.
"I read the script and thought, 'This isn't clever writing, it's pure filth'," he told The Independent in 2006.
"I turned it down. I'm not desperate."
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