Ventriloquist Keith Harris dies after battle with cancer

Tributes have poured in for ventriloquist Keith Harris, famous for his act with his puppet duck Orville, who has died aged 67.

His agent Robert C Kelly said Harris, whom he described as a “thoroughly decent man”, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and became ill again in January.

He said: “I spoke to Keith most days, whether we had business to do or not. I think I laughed every single time we spoke.