Death at 79 of 'Lord Charles' ventriloquist

Alan, 79, was a TV regular for decades, clocking up appearances on variety shows, as well as having his own children's series, Tich and Quackers.

It is thought he stopped breathing overnight after complaining of feeling unwell at his home in Reigate, Surrey.

Agent Peter Pritchard said: "He passed away very suddenly."

Alan had not worked for the past few months because of ill- health, and old age had made it difficult to manipulate the puppet.

Mr Pritchard, who worked with him for 30 years, said: "Technically he was regarded as Britain's top ventriloquist. You just couldn't see his mouth moving.

"He was tremendously well-liked in the business and he had been in the entertainment business all his life."

Alan was born in Greenwich and raised in south east London and was a "call boy" at the Lewisham Hippodrome theatre, leaving school at 14.

His act originally involved impressions and conjuring tricks and he developed his ventriloquy after pretending there were voices coming from a box on stage.

His first official show as a ventriloquist came when he was 19.

The monocled Lord Charles was inspired by a boozy toff whom Alan spotted at a table during a cabaret show. And he later based the puppet's face on Stan Laurel.

Earlier this year the star – who is survived by his wife Jane – published his third crime novel, A Fear of Vengeance.