Veteran Entertainer Max Bygraves Dies Aged 89

Veteran entertainer, comedian and singer Max Bygraves has died in his sleep aged 89.

Bygraves had been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and died at his home in Australia just six weeks shy of his 90th birthday.

Known for his catchphrase 'I want tell you a story', he had a career in showbusiness that started during World War II and spanned more than 60 years.

Performing popular impersonations of Charlie Chaplin and Max Miller, Bygraves appeared in a touring review called For The Fun Of It which ran for 61 weeks.

This led to his first appearance at the Royal Variety Show in 1950, followed by 14 dates at the London Palladium over 10 years alongside stars such as Judy Garland.

The entertainer was awarded an OBE in 1982 and took over from Bob Monkhouse as the host of Family Fortunes a year later.

He moved from Bournemouth to Australia in his later years, returning briefly to make his last public appearance at a series of revival shows in Blackpool and London in 2006.

Bygraves' son Anthony, 65, said: 'Sadly, Dad died last night as a result of the Alzheimer's.

'He was six weeks off celebrating his 90th birthday which would have fallen on October 16.'

His agent, Johnny Mans told the Telegraph: 'We have lost one of the best entertainers that Britain has ever produced.

'He was a friend to everyone... there were no airs and graces.'