Lord Charles loses his voice forever

VENTRILOQUIST Ray Alan – known to millions for his act with snooty, sozzled puppet Lord Charles – has died.

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."

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

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.