Entertainer Danny La Rue has died after a short illness, his spokeswoman said today. He was 81.

The legendary female impersonator, who lived in Southampton for 21 years, had been suffering from cancer.

His spokeswoman said: "Danny died peacefully in his sleep just before midnight last night after a short illness.

"His beloved companion Annie Galbraith was with him at their home in Kent."

Among his many famed impersonations are celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Marlene Dietrich and Margaret Thatcher.

He played Dolly Levi in the musical Hello Dolly, starred as himself in Mr Bean and was a regular performer in Christmas pantomimes across the UK for many years.

In 2002, Danny was awarded the OBE, and he has a Southampton street named in his honour.

Once described by Bob Hope as "the most glamorous woman in the world", he retired from stage performing in 2006.