The ventriloquist Keith Harris famed for working with his puppet Orville has died aged 67, his agent has confirmed.

He performed in panto for a number of years at Fareham's Ferneham Hall during the 2000s, and grew up in Hampshire.

Harris will be most remembered for his vent act with puppet Orville but he had a showbiz career which ran for over fifty years.

At his professional peak between 1982 and 1990, Harris had his own BBC One Saturday night programme The Keith Harris Show, sold over 400,000 copies of his Orville song I Wish I Could Fly, and he performed at private birthday parties for Prince William and Prince Harry.

It was confirmed this morning that he died in hospital in Blackpool.

He was born in Lyndhurst and spent part of his childhood in North Baddesley.

Rod Cameron, general manager at Ferneham Hall, said he had spoken to Keith a couple of weeks ago as they had kept in touch and had hoped to get him back to Fareham to do regular shows which they had spoken about.

“Obviously I'm shocked now. I'm very upset,” said Mr Cameron.

“That's life isn't it and unfortunately not being able to bring him back to Ferneham Hall to put on a show. 

“He wasn't in a good state health wise but mentally he was still very positive, upbeat and obviously trying to battle through it.

“He just didn't give up. His family and young children, he was doing everything for them.

“Our sympathies go out to Sarah and the family.”

Keith appeared in five pantomimes at Ferneham Hall, the last one in 2008, including Dick Whittington, Cinderella, Aladdin and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

He proved very popular breaking box office records in 2006.

“He was very popular - people still ask when he's coming back again,” added Mr Cameron.

“He was brilliant, a nice chap, a workaholic, very professional and a great guy to work with.

“He had a good sense of humour and everyone liked him. 

“He'll be sadly missed.”