Comic Soupy Sales dies, aged 83

Comic Soupy Sales has died at the age of 83.

Sales, who was born Milton Supman, was admitted to Calvary Hospital in The Bronx, NY last week, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The star battled on-off health problems for the past several years, his manager Dave Usher said.

He began a career in television in Detroit as the presenter of 1953 children's programme Soupy Sales Comics, before starring in both network and syndicated shows until his last series which ran from 1979 until 1980.

Sales's projects featured the comedian bantering with puppets named White Fang and Black Tooth, and he was known for having a custard pie tossed at his face.

He is survived by Trudy Carson, his wife of 29 years, two sons from a previous marriage, a brother and four grandchildren.