Grumbleweeds comic Walker dies aged 68

COMEDY star Graham Walker of the Leeds-based Grumbleweeds since the 1960s, has died aged 68.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jun 2013, 01:01 BST

Walker, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, died on Sunday two weeks after his birthday.

The Grumbleweeds found fame on BBC radio and also had an ITV show on Saturday evenings, made by Granada. Fellow comic Bobby Ball tweeted Walker was “one of the best comics we have had”.

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Walker founded The Grumbleweeds with friend Robin Colvill in Leeds in 1962, performing comedy songs and impressions as well as “straight” musical numbers. Brothers Albert and Carl Sutcliffe and impressionist Maurice Lee completed the line-up. The radio show ran from 1979 to 1988.

Walker later became a straight actor and appeared in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Heartbeat. The band had returned to the original duo of Walker and Colvill and had a nationwide tour and cruise booked.

Related topics:LeedsBobby BallBBCITV