Grumbleweed Graham dies at 68

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 for several years had their own ITV series on Saturday evenings, made by Granada.

Fellow comic Bobby Ball tweeted Walker was “one of the best comics we have had”.

Jimmy Cricket tweeted: “Graham Grumbleweed RIP. Norman Collier passing away recently, this is another sad day for British comedy.”

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.

Their radio Show ran from 1979 to 1988 and won the best radio show prize at The Television and Radio Industries Awards in 1983.

Walker later became a straight actor, making his debut in a one-off play made by Yorkshire TV called Lamb Of God, and subsequently appearing in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Heartbeat.

In recent years the band had returned to the original duo of Walker and Colvill and had an upcoming nationwide tour and cruise booked.