Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried and Roy dies from cancer aged 81

Watch: Illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher dead at 81

Siegfried Fischbacher, who was one half of illusionist act Siegfried and Roy, has died at the age of 81.

The entertainer had pancreatic cancer and recently underwent an operation to remove a malignant tumour, his representatives said.

He had been receiving care at his Las Vegas home from two hospice workers.

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His death comes less than a year after that of his stage partner Roy Horn, who died aged 75 from complications of COVID-19 last May.

The German-born duo met on a cruise ship as teenagers and were later signed by a liner company.

They came to international fame with their flamboyant Las Vegas shows involving big cats – notably white tigers and lions.

They launched their Vegas show at the Mirage Resort and Casino in 1990 and performed an estimated 5,000 shows over the years.

However, it came to an end in 2003 after Horn was maimed by a tiger named Montecore.

The injuries sustained in the attack permanently impaired his mobility and his speech. The pair continued with appearances until 2010 when they officially retired.

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At the time of Horn's death, Fischbacher said: “Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend.

“From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried."

Watch: Roy Horn dies from COVID-19 complications