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Keith Harris and Orville at the Children's Royal Variety Performance in 1982.
PA Archive/Press Association Images
RIP
Keith Harris, Orville the Duck ventriloquist, dies aged 67
Tributes have been paid to the children’s entertainer who had his own show on the BBC.
ENTERTAINER AND VENTRILOQUIST, Keith Harris, has died aged 67.
Harris is famous for pleasing the masses with his performances with his puppet, Orville the duck.
It is believed that Harris had been diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and died in hospital in Blackpool.
Harris, who was married four times, leaves behind three children.
Children’s entertainer
The news of his death was confirmed by his agent, Robert C Kelly, via Twitter:
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.
The BBC reports ‘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.
The performer is also believed to have given private performances at Highgrove House for Prince William’s third birthday and then at Kensington Palace for Prince Harry’s third birthday, at the personal request of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Messages of condolences have been paid by those in the entertainment business:
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