The comedian and broadcaster Cyril Fletcher, one of the last stars of the variety show era, has died, aged 91, at his home in Guernsey.

He first appeared on screen in 1937 - the year after the BBC began television broadcasting - but was best known in more recent years for reading out amusing misprints and his own "odd odes" on the consumer show That's Life.

Fletcher was also well known for his stage work and appeared in several films -most notably in the 1947 adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby, alongside Sybil Thorndike and Cedric Hardwicke.

In later years, he became a keen gardener who had a rose named after him. He claimed that he had chosen it for its distinctive smell: it was a case of one "odd ode-r choosing another", he said.

Born in Watford shortly before the first world war, Fletcher displayed a gift for comic verse at school. He went on to study drama part-time while working in insurance.

By the age of 22, he had landed his first professional work, appearing with the Fol-de-Rols musical revue. His comic verse was an instant hit when first aired on radio in the same year.

Soon after, he married actor and singer Betty Astell and remained devoted to her, working with her on many occasions and celebrating their long marriage in his autobiography Nice One, Cyril.

The couple went into theatrical management, producing pantomimes and summer shows and discovering new stars, including the young Harry Secombe.

But Fletcher found time to front his own radio sketch shows as well as appearing on What's My Line? and the comedy quiz show Does the Team Think?

In an interview about 10 years ago, he said he had made a "fabulous living" from showbusiness and had never faced a day's unemployment.

He recently presented a gardening programme for Channel TV.

But his humour belonged to a more innocent age; he disapproved of "dirt" and sex, preferring the "good, honest vulgarity" of music-hall innuendo.

Michael Pointon, a family friend, said the comedian passed away peacefully in his sleep after a short illness.

He described Fletcher as a "consummate professional... He was a whimsical, droll fellow, but also a very artistic man."

Fletcher is survived by his wife, who is 92, and their daughter, Jill.