Keith Harris dead: Orville the Duck ventriloquist dies aged 67 following battle with cancer

The news was confirmed by the TV star's agent

Orville and Keith Harris. He covered up his condition by getting people to read out scripts to him

Keith Harris, the TV ventriloquist behind Orville the Duck, has died.

He passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being diagnosed with cancer aged 67 years old.

The news was confirmed by his agent, Robert C Kelly, on Tuesday morning.

“Sad to announce death from Cancer of my client, dear friend and great talent, Keith Harris,” Kelly said.

Harris helmed The Keith Harris Show in the Eighties, which had the coveted prime-time Saturday night slot on BBC One.

He also enjoyed a No.4 hit with "Orville's Song" in 1982.

Harris is survived by his fourth wife Sarah and their two children. He also has a daughter, 27, from a previous marriage.