Bernie Clifton is to retire Oswald The Ostrich.
Bernie Clifton and Oswald The Ostrich
The legendary entertainer - who turns 82 on April 30 - has confirmed it is about time he put the yellow puppet out to roost after he appears in show 'Last Laugh In Vegas', which will see him take to Sin City's famous Strip alongside several other stars for a special performance.
He said: "Oswald is now a lot older and slower than he used to be. It's time he stopped performing.
"I know people will be sad but it's like my favourite footballer Bobby Charlton. I wouldn't fancy seeing him play now."
The 81-year-old star has confirmed the ITV show - which also features Su Pollard, Anita Harris, and Cannon and Ball - will be the final time he and Oswald will take to the stage as a double act, but he is not retiring from performing on his own.
He added to the Daily Star newspaper: "This show is the last time viewers will see us together.
"It was while we were filming in Vegas and watching old footage of ourselves from years ago that I realised it was time for Oswald to bow out. You could say this is his 'swansong'."
Bernie has been entertaining the nation for 60 years but Oswald made his TV debut in the 'The Good Old Days' in the 70s.
The TV legend previously said: "Oswald appeared on my debut TV show, 'The Good Old Days', and then we did Crackerjack together.
"I was doing my act with Oswald at a club in 1979 and in the audience was the producer of The Royal Variety Show. He put me in the show and everything took off after that.
"I did an eight-minute spot and it was a show-stopper - even the Queen was wiping away tears of laughter."