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Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves dies Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves dies
(35 minutes later)
Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves has died, his agent says. Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves has died in Australia at the age of 89.
The 89-year-old performer, whose catchphrase was "I wanna tell you a story", was well known for his talents as a comedian, actor, and singer, often appearing at the London Palladium. The comedian, actor, and singer, whose catchphrase was "I wanna tell you a story", died peacefully in his sleep at home in Hope Island, Queensland, on Friday.
He emigrated from Bournemouth, Dorset, to Australia in 2005. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.He emigrated from Bournemouth, Dorset, to Australia in 2005. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
"We have lost one of the best entertainers that Britain has ever produced," his agent Johnny Mans said."We have lost one of the best entertainers that Britain has ever produced," his agent Johnny Mans said.
"His death is a great loss to the entertainment profession and a great loss to all of his friends in the industry."
"He was a friend to everyone... there were no airs and graces.""He was a friend to everyone... there were no airs and graces."
Bygraves wife Blossom Murray, who he married in 1942, died last year. Born in England in London in 1922 as Walter, the former Family Fortunes presenter gained the nickname Max from his impersonations of comedian Max Miller while serving in the RAF.
'A great character'
After World War II, Bygraves rose to fame as a variety entertainer.
He performed on stage with Spike Milligan, Benny Hill, Harry Secombe and Frankie Howerd, and often appeared at the London Palladium in later years.
He married Blossom Murray in 1942. She died last year.
Former radio presenter Ed Stewart described his friend as a "unique talent" who "gave a lot of pleasure to a lot of people".
"He as a person never dated."
"He was a great character with a great sense of humour, a lovely family and it's just a shame that he's gone, but at nearly 90, he had a good run.
"He was an entertainer through and through," added Mr Stewart.
"There were one or two others at the time but Max was the doyen of them all, and this likeable lad was just on everybody's radio sets in the days of the BBC when you only had the live programmes.
"Those programmes and those records of his gave a lot of pleasure to a lot of people and were huge sellers."
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