Fellow entertainers last night paid tribute to Rod Hull, known to millions for his madcap comedy with puppet Emu.
Hull (63) fell from the roof of his home in Winchelsea, East Sussex, while trying to adjust his aerial during Wednesday night's Manchester United football match against Inter Milan.
Hull was well known for the attacks his puppet launched against TV celebrities, including a notorious appearance on the Michael Parkinson show in the 1970s when he set about the chat show host.
When Emu met the Queen Mother at the Royal Variety Show in 1972, he ate her bouquet.
The twice-married father-of-five had recently been in pantomime in Windsor, where he had been appearing with the former TV weatherman, Ian McCaskill.
Hull was a regular face on TV in the 1970s and early 1980s as he and the uncontrollable mute bird presented shows like Rod Hull and Emu and later EBC (Emu's Broadcasting Company) and Emu's World. Hull was born on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, and moved to Australia in 1958 before returning to Britain 12 years later. The partnership formed in 1969 when Hull saw Emu in a props room in Australia.
Michael Parkinson said Hull was "a gentle man", but had a sinister side - his puppet. "I am very sad to hear of Rod's death. He was a very charming, intelligent and sensitive man - quite unlike the Emu," he said.
Rolf Harris, who was filming for BBC TV's Animal Hospital, said: "He was a creative character, a sweet person and a very good friend. We shall all miss him."
The Cancer Research Campaign paid tribute to Hull for his fund-raising efforts.