Siegfried Fischbacher has died aged 81

Dolore told Bild: "He [Siegfried] fell asleep softly and peacefully."

Siegfried had recently had a malignant tumour removed from his body in a 12-hour operation, but it was found that it had unfortunately already spread. It was then believed that Siegfried asked to be allowed out of hospital and cared for by two nurses at home in Las Vegas.

It comes only months after Roy Horn - who was one-half of the popular Las Vegas animal and magic act alongside Siegfried - has died from COVID-19 complications.

Siegfried said in a statement at the time: "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.

"Roy was a fighter his whole life including during these final few days. I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy's life."

The pair first met while working on a cruise ship and became famous for using white tigers and other animals in their act. They began performing in Las Vegas in 1967, and their hugely popular shows wowed fans at the city's Mirage Hotel for 14 years.

However, Roy was severely injured when a seven-year-old white tiger named Mantacore attacked him during one of their shows at the Mirage in 2003. The tiger bit him on the neck and carried him offstage and he suffered critical injuries to his spine, severe blood loss and a stroke.