STAGE performer, producer, director and ice skating star Jackie Vincent has died at the age of 91.

His first appearance within the entertainment industry took place while he was still in the RAF, appearing in Ralph Reader's production of Wings, where he worked alongside and was understudy to Tony Hancock. After leaving the RAF, Jackie skated with Della Sweetman at the Embassy Theatre in Peterborough, before he was spotted by Tom Arnold who approached Jackie to join his famous company in Wembley.

He was a comedy skater with Circus on Ice, which was performed in 1954, at Weymouth's Alexandra Gardens before he was invited to audition at Bournemouth's Westover Road ice rink, resulting in his first Christmas pantomime there.

Jackie worked for five years as the principal comic at Ice Follies at the Westover and after an appearance as a pantomime dame at the old Music Hall Theatre on Albert Road, he turned his hand to producing his own floor show.

After many successful appearances in hotels and clubs, Jackie was asked to produce and appear in his own show at the Ocean Room in Bournemouth where he entertained audiences with his unique brand of comedy.

In June 1977, he stepped onto the stage of the Tivoli Theatre for the Wimborne Round Table's Tribute to Music Hall, which Jackie organised as a double celebration to mark 25 years in showbiz.

Two years later he was appointed as the resident entertainments director and producer of the new Gaiety complex of St Peter's Hall on Hinton Road, which aimed to be a place for residents and tourists to eat, drink and take in a show.

Jackie helped to host the Star Trail talent competition in 1990s featuring pianists, singers and magicians, introducing each act in his sparkly sequin waistcoat before performing show tunes as the judges' marks were calculated.

For many years, Jackie organised annual Christmas and summer balls, which were attended by The Beatles, Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Vaughan, Danny La Rue, Shirley Bassey, Ken Dodd and The Who.

Jackie Vincent died on Monday, December 7 at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. His funeral will be held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Tuesday, December 29 at 12pm.