My lucky duck

His most famous, by far, is Orville the talking duck, loved by millions, young and old. Here he tells FRED SHAWCROSS of his showbiz years, a new nightclub venture and plans for the future

VENTRILOQUIST Keith Harris has been labelled the man who made millions from sticking his hand up a duck's backside - an uncharitable reference to the liaison with Orville, his famous 'aquatic' partner.

The fact that Keith can laugh at this reference speaks volumes for the man who, during 42 years in showbiz, has learned to take nothing - especially himself - too seriously.

And he quite cheerfully acknowledges that Orville, just one of an astonishing 170 characters he has created during his career, was more than anything responsible for establishing him as an international star.

"I owe that duck a great deal," he confides. "He was asked to entertain the Princes William and Harry on their birthdays at Highgrove House and took me along as a special treat.

"Charles and Di were both there and I've got some terrific photos as mementos. So, yes, he's Orville by Royal Command. Not bad for a talking duck, is it?"

Keith was speaking to me in his luxurious night spot Club l'Orange, in Vicarage Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, which he owns in partnership with builder Geoff Jackson.

They have pumped more than £200,000 into converting the upper floors of the former Rialto cinema, with soundproofing, air conditioning and marvellous decor. Some idea of their policy of "only the best will do" is amply illustrated by the baby grand piano perched on stage. That cost a cool £26,000.

"We wanted to create a club for mature people and decided to do it properly," Keith said. "It's members only - and we've got 2,000 of those after only six months' trading.

"The club is licensed for 450 but we are happy with 250-300 and we are getting that at weekends, when we have special soul nights.

"We're trying different things during the week to attract punters - ladies' nights and such - but we won't lower our standards."

Keith and Orville are still very much a working partnership and are at present on a busy round of summer bookings, at home and abroad.

Much to his chagrin, these days the duck has to travel in the cargo hold of jets. He used to ride first class with his partner until one bemused cabin steward, counting heads before take-off, missed him and delayed the plane because of the non-appearance of a "Mr Orville."

It was only when a high-pitched "I'm here" came from the depths of a seat that the identity of the missing passenger -belted for take-off - was revealed.

"So he had to go," laughs Keith. "He doesn't like it but he's SUCH an attention-seeker. We hardly ever got a minute, even on long-haul flights."

The term "born into the business" is certainly appropriate in the case of Keith Harris. His father Norman was a singer/entertainer and started to use Keith in the act when the boy was just six.

"He was the ventriloquist and I was his dummy," Keith recalled. "We worked most of the clubs in the UK but dad retired from the business when I was 11 and I decided to carry on as a solo act.

"I turned professional at 14. My first booking was at the Coliseum at Rhyl and I earned a tenner. I didn't get much schooling but I was happier on stage anyway."

Keith's act, then as now, was ventriloquism. He played the straight man to a dummy partner.

"It was cheaper than paying a live one," he confided.

Over the years, from teenage prodigy to established star, he honed and perfected his craft, creating characters like Big Frog Fred, a Pakistani snake, a gay rabbit, Cuddles the monkey and, the biggest star of the lot, Orville.

He played the London Palladium at 17, has appeared in seven Royal Command Performances, compered the Black and White Minstrel Show and was already firmly established when Orville came along around 1979.

The duck, who became a massive hit with children, was featured in four TV shows in one week, encouraging Keith to try his hand at making a record - with his partner, of course.

"Bobby Crush wrote Orville's Song - I Wish I Could Fly' - and we recorded it at Abbey Road Studios in 1980. I thought if Abbey Road was good enough for the Beatles, it'll do for Orville and me! The major recording companies laughed when I suggested we had a hit on our hands and Orville's Song was 'buried' for two years until it was released in 1982.

"It sold threequarters of a million copies, reached number four in the Top 20 and won us a gold disc.

"We appeared on Top Of The Pops. I don't know who was more gobsmacked - Orville and me or the groups on the same show. They couldn't believe they were sharing the same stage with a 'vent' and a dummy. Brilliant."

Club l'Orange is the first step in a gradual climbdown for Keith, though he has no intention of quitting the business. Far from it. He has written a musical drama based on the story of a ventriloquist taken over by his dummy and a 1997 launch is planned, starting with a provincial tour.

"It was done on film in the 1920s and again in the late 1970s in Magic, starring Anthony Hopkins," he said. "But in my case it will actually be a 'vent' in the starring role.

Has there ever been a danger of Keith Harris being overtaken by his numerous alter egos - particularly Orville?

"No. Never," he insists. "I love the business and its given me a great life but it's a job. Its what I do for a living and in Club l'Orange I'm putting back a little of what the game has given me. Simple as that.

"If I make a few quid, so much the better. But ticking over will do me. Yes, that'll do for me and Orville. We've had the big time. And it hasn't driven either of us totally quackers. Yet!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.