The Prince of Wales last night led British tributes to the comic genius Sir Harry Secombe, who has died at the age of 79 from cancer. The star, loved by millions for his pioneering brilliance on radio's The Goon Show, died in a Guildford hospital at 3 p.m. yesterday with his wife Myra at his side.
Sir Harry was gifted with a powerful tenor voice which he put to good effect on many religious music shows which he presented. These included ITV's Highway and BBC1's Songs Of Praise.
He retired from showbusiness in 1999 after a lifetime of comedy, song and charity work which earned him a knighthood in 1981.
His Goons colleague Spike Milligan, the only surviving member of the four-strong cast, said: "I grieve for an unbelievable friend," he said.
Prince Charles, a patron of The Goon Show Preservation Society, said: "He will be profoundly missed by all those people who appreciate wit and unmalicious humour," he said.
Secombe said that he developed a talent for playing the fool as a child to avoid being picked on for wearing glasses.