Orville The Duck ventriloquist Keith Harris dies of cancer aged 67
His agent confirms the sad news
Ventriloquist and entertainer Keith Harris, most famous for his puppet act with Orville The Duck, has died aged 67.
Harris’ agent Robert C Kelly released a statement confirming Harris died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital following a long battle with a “very rare form of cancer.”
A statement to the BBC reads: "Despite Keith undergoing long and difficult stem-cell replacement treatment during the summer of 2014 and appearing to have fully recovered, it became clear in January of 2015 that Keith was once again becoming unwell.
"Keith visited the oncologist at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and was told the cancer was in Keith's liver and there was nothing further they could do.
"Keith died today, 28 April 2015 at 4.50am in Blackpool Victoria Hospital."
Harris shot to fame in the early eighties thanks to his hit programme The Keith Harris show, which featured Orville and his arch nemesis Cuddles the Monkey.
At the height of his fame in December 1982, he achieved a number four hit with ‘Orville’s Song’ – also known as ‘I Wish I Could Fly.’
In more recent years, Harris appeared on a string of TV shows including Harry Hill, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Weakest Link and Little Britain and in 2005 he was among the all-star line up in Peter Kay and Tony Christie's music video, "Is This the Way to Amarillo".