...without the ostrich

Veteran comedian Bernie Clifton is to take part in The Voice.

The 79-year-old – most famous for riding a yellow ostrich called Oswald – will take part in the last series of the musical talent show to be aired on the BBC.

He survived six auditions to get through to the televised heats, where they sing without being seen by the judges.

A source told the Daily Mirror that judges 'had no idea' of clifton's background, adding: 'It was really brave of him to put himself through all the auditions and make it through to the spinning chairs round.'

The next series of The Voice is the last to be screened by the BBC, as it has been poached by ITV in a deal worth a reported £33million.

Clifton cut his teeth on the northern club circuit before becoming a regular TV face in the mid-1970s, presenting Crackerjack and guesting on many big-name variety shows.

He is a regular in panto and appeared in the video for Amarillo with Peter Kay and Tony Christie. Clifton and Oswald both appeared during Children in Need on Friday, as part of a gameshow that involved celebrities squeezing into a phone box.

Published: 17 Nov 2015