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Keith Harris has died aged 67 after losing his battle with liver cancer.

The ventriloquist, best known for his act with green puppet Orville, passed away in the early hours of this morning at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

His agent Robert C Kelly said in a statement: "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.

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"In 2013 Keith suffered a loss of appetite and a swelling in his abdomen, initially unsure of the cause, the doctors eventually removed his spleen and after a biopsy began treating Keith for cancer.

"Diagnosis proved difficult, however, it was finally narrowed to a very rare form of cancer with no known cure.

"Despite Keith undergoing long and difficult stem-cell replacement treatment during the summer of 2014 and appearing to have fully recovered, it became clear in January of 2015 that Keith was once again becoming unwell.

"Keith visited the oncologist at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and was told the cancer was in Keith’s liver and there was nothing further they could do.

"Over the past few months, Keith has enjoyed several holidays to his second home in Portugal, taking walks along the Blackpool sea front and sitting in the park eating ice cream and watching the world go by.

"Keith died today, 28 April 2015 at 4.50am in Blackpool Victoria Hospital."

In April last year father-of-three Keith, who enjoyed a 50-year career in showbiz, announced at a show in Prestatyn that he had been secretly battling cancer but had in fact beaten the disease.

He also revealed he had been given "months" to live at the time.

Keith leaves behind two teenage children, Kitty, 15, and Shenton, 13, from his marriage to fourth wife Sarah and daughter Skye, 27 from his first marriage.

He starred on his own BBC One Saturday night programme, The Keith Harris Show, and performed at private birthday parties for Prince William and Harry.

Several stars have paid tribute to the late star, including Aled Jones, who wrote: "Sad to hear of the death of Keith Harris - sending best wishes to his family and friends."

Paddy McGuinness tweeted: "RIP Keith Harris. A part of my childhood gone."

(Image: Daily Record)

Chris Maloney tweeted: "My thoughts are with Keith Harris' family and friends at this sad time. RIP Keith xx"

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Very sad to hear that Keith Harris has died after a battle with cancer. Brought joy to my childhood."

(Image: BBC)

Robert also said: "Keith appeared on a total of 5Royal,and Children’s Royal Variety Performances.

"At the personal request of Diana, Princess of Wales, Keith gave private performances at HighgroveHouse for Prince William’s third birthday and then at Kensington Palace for Prince Harry’s third birthday.

"In 1982 Keith recorded the single I Wish I Could Fly. Despite only reaching number four in the charts, the song was a huge success, selling over four hundred thousand copies and becoming forever ingrained in the psyche of a nation.

"In 2002 Keith took part in a Louis Theroux documentary When Louis met Keith Harris”.

"In 2005 Keith took part in and won the Channel 5 programme The Farm beating, amongst others, porn star Ron Jeremy.

"Harris holds the record for the longest pantomime run ever of 22 weeks in Aladdin at Theatre Royal Nottingham and the all-time record for seats sold for his early nineties summer season at The Grand Theatre Blackpool, a record that can't be beaten as the venue now has fewer seats!

(Image: Comic Relief/PA)

"In the West-End of London, as top-of-the-bill, Keith played 2 seasons at The London Palladium and a season of pantomime at The Dominion Theatre.

"Keith leaves behind his fourth wife Sarah (49) and his children Kitty (15) and Shenton (13). Keith also leaves a daughter Skye (27) from his first marriage to singer Jacqui Scott and his mother Lila and brother Colin."

Robert has also confirmed Keith's puppet Orville will now be retired in a tribute to Keith.

He said: "There are no plans for Orville. That's the end. He will be retired."

He also revealed the green duck will not be at Keith's funeral.

But Keith wasn't always a fan of appearing on shows as he once refused to be on Ricky Gervais' Extras, claiming the script was "pure filth".

(Image: Channel Five/PA)

Keith appeared in Peter Kay and Tony Christie's comical music video Is This the Way to Amarillo alongside stars such as Brian May, Roger Taylor, Shakin' Stevens, Shaun Ryder.

Keith also had a top 10 hit with Orville's Song in 1982, selling 400,000 copies.

Last year, the ventriloquist revealed he had lost his £7 million fortune because of his dyslexia and was performing at Butlin's to make money.