KEITH Harris and his fluffy duck friend Orville will be joining the star-studded list of "colourful" people who have appeared on Louis Theroux's offbeat fly-on-the-wall TV series.

When Louis Met Keith Harris And Orville is to be shown on BBC2 on March 19 and promises to give an insight into the varied life and times of Mr Harris and his uncanny and ever popular ventriloquist skills.

The Citizen managed to catch up with the busy father-of-two at his Poulton home and asked him how the filming went and what he thought of Louis.

He said: "It went fine. Louis and the crew were with me for about three weeks on and off over the Christmas period when I was busy starring in a panto in Crewe.

"He asked a few personal questions but I was fine about that as I've got nothing to hide and just about everything has already been said about me.

"I don't mean to blow my own trumpet but he was very impressed at my skills and all that I have done in my life."

The largely self-taught showman is in his 42nd year of the theatrical business and still gets a thrill out of pleasing the crowd. He is immensely popular with students and has developed quite a cult following since he began touring universities with Orville six years ago.

He explained: "I'm that old that I'm new -- and the response I get from the young students is amazing. They all remember the song and enjoy my act thoroughly. It is the best thing of all making the audience laugh."

Keith is extremely busy at present and in great demand. He is appearing on The Big Breakfast next Monday and filming is to start in September of a pilot TV show that he is to star in.

And love it or hate it, that song that has been lingering at the back of your minds for the last 21 years is to be re-released in the next couple of weeks. yes Orville's haunting melody, I Wish I Could Fly, will soon be back playing on your favourite radio station.