THE man responsible for the Duke of York’s cinema’s famous can-can legs, Bill Heine, has died at the age of 74.

The American-born broadcaster, columnist and cinema owner, who brought the legs from Oxford to Brighton’s in 1991, had been receiving treatment for cancer.

He died on Tuesday night.

The Duke of York’s at Preston Circus is the oldest surviving purpose-built cinema in the UK. It took to Twitter to express its condolences.

BBC Radio Oxford editor Tim Boswell said: “Bill was an integral part of BBC Radio Oxford for over 30 years.

“He was an outstanding broadcaster with the ability to connect with his listeners through his intelligence, razor-sharp wit and above all, his passion for the city.”

Bill Heine’s Penultimate Picture Company owned the Duke of York’s from 1983 until it was acquired by City Screen in 1994 after financial difficulties.

Penultimate Picture Company also ran two cinemas in Oxford in the 1970s and 1980s; – Ultimate Picture Palace in Jeune Street and Not The Moulin Rouge in Headington.

Not The Moulin Rogue was the original home of the eye-catching red and white legs.

When the cinema closed, the legs were brought to the Duke of York’s in Brighton where they still stand today.

Mr Heine had said the legs were modelled on those of a tax inspector, who was persuaded by sculptor John Buckley to pose for him.

In the 1980s, Mr Heine also had a 25ft fibreglass shark installed on the roof of his Oxford home – without council permission.

The controversial figure became embroiled in a legal battle with Oxford City Council for six years before the installation was permitted to remain.

The shark still stands on the roof of Mr Heine’s former home in New High Street where visitors can stay for £199 a night.

Mr Heine had been diagnosed with terminal leukaemia in 2017.

His final column for the Oxford Mail, entitled “I’m ready to die in my own bed”, was published less than a week ago.

“My home is the family,” he wrote. “It is a lovely and loving environment that makes the prospect of dying something I can cope with; a time to let our boundaries down and be with each other.”

Alex Evans, general manager at the Duke of York’s, said: “All of us here at the Duke of York’s are saddened to hear of the death of Bill Heine.

“The can-can legs that Bill brought to the cinema in 1991 are instantly recognisable and have become a symbol of Brighton and Hove.

“I’m sure they will delight and fascinate all who visit our cinema for years to come.”