Orville ventriloquist Keith Harris dies aged 67

The ventriloquist Keith Harris - the voice and the creator of that childen's favourite Orville the duck - has died at the age of 67.

He had had a rare form of cancer.

Together, he and Orville the Duck were Saturday night staples on The Keith Harris show during the 1980s.

ITV News Reporter Duncan Golestani looks back at the life of a TV original.

More: Bobby Davro pays tribute to 'legend' Keith Harris

Funnyman Bobby Davro has paid tribute to his "legendary" friend Keith Harris.

Speaking to ITV News Correspondent Duncan Golestani, Mr Davro praised Keith Harris and his most popular characters Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey - and even managed to demonstrate a trick he had been taught by the late ventriloquist.

More: Orville ventriloquist and entertainer Keith Harris dies

He brought a talking green duck into the homes - and hearts - of people up and down the country.

Earlier today the death was announced of the ventriloquist Keith Harris the creator of lovable green duck, Orville.

He was 67.

ITV Reporter Richard Pallot reports:

More: Letter from Diana thanks Harris for 'memorable' show

ITV News has obtained a letter from Diana, the Princess of Wales, thanking comedian Keith Harris for a performance he put on during a visit to Highgrove House in 1985.

In the letter - written by Diana's lady-in-waiting Anne Beckwith-Smith on her behalf - thanks Mr Harris and his sidekick Orville for a "memorable" occasion at the Wales' family residence.

The letter goes on:

More: Bernie Clifton: Death of Keith Harris is another chapter ended

Comedian Bernie Clifton has paid tribute to his friend Keith Harris, who has died aged 67.

Speaking from his home, Mr Clifton said:

"It's such a sad day...It's awful really and it's another chapter ended, a presence of our generation that's gone."

More: Keith Chegwin: 'A great entertainer has passed away'

Television presenter Keith Chegwin said a "great entertainer and all round nice man" has passed away as he responded to news that Keith Harris has died.

Comedian and entertainer Les Dennis has said he is "so sad" to hear of the death of Keith Harris.

Keith Harris' agent said that he quickly became 'great friends' with the entertainer after they met during the summer season at The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr in 1992.

Robert C Kelly said: "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."

One of the enduring memories of 1980s was song by Keith Harris' most famous puppet Orville.

The 1982 tune was a huge success, selling over four hundred thousand copies and becoming forever ingrained in the psyche of a nation.

Keith Harris' agent has said that the announcement of the death of his friend and client has come with "great sadness".

A statement said: "It is with great sadness I announce the death of my friend and client Keith Harris (67) whom I have known for well over 20 years and managed for the past 15 years."

The star appeared on a total of five Royal, and Children’s Royal Variety Performances. At his height between 1982 and 1990 Harris had his own BBC 1 Saturday night programme The Keith Harris Show followed between 1990 and 1993 by The Quack Chat Show.

Keith Harris had been suffering from cancer.