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| The Grumbleweeds star Graham Walker dies at 68 | The Grumbleweeds star Graham Walker dies at 68 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Tributes have been paid to Graham Walker, best known as a member of the British comedy band The Grumbleweeds, who has died aged 68. | |
| Walker, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, died on Sunday two weeks after his birthday. | Walker, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, died on Sunday two weeks after his birthday. |
| He was one of the founding members of the group, who made their name in the 1980s with their BBC Radio 2 series, The Grumbleweeds Radio Show. | He was one of the founding members of the group, who made their name in the 1980s with their BBC Radio 2 series, The Grumbleweeds Radio Show. |
| Bobby Ball tweeted Graham Walker was "one of the best comics we have had". | Bobby Ball tweeted Graham Walker was "one of the best comics we have had". |
| Jimmy Cricket also tweeted: "Graham Grumbleweed RIP. Norman Collier passing away recently, this is another sad day for British comedy." | Jimmy Cricket also tweeted: "Graham Grumbleweed RIP. Norman Collier passing away recently, this is another sad day for British comedy." |
| Walker founded The Grumbleweeds with Robin Colvill in 1962 in his native Leeds. | Walker founded The Grumbleweeds with Robin Colvill in 1962 in his native Leeds. |
| The band, which performed comedy songs and impressions, grew in number over the years. | The band, which performed comedy songs and impressions, grew in number over the years. |
| After an appearance on Opportunity Knocks they found fame as a five-piece band with their own radio and TV shows. | After an appearance on Opportunity Knocks they found fame as a five-piece band with their own radio and TV shows. |
| The Grumbleweed's Radio Show ran from 1979 to 1988 and won the best radio show prize at The Television and Radio Industries Awards in 1983. | The Grumbleweed's Radio Show ran from 1979 to 1988 and won the best radio show prize at The Television and Radio Industries Awards in 1983. |
| Walker also appeared in programmes such as Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Heartbeat. | Walker also appeared in programmes such as 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. | In recent years the band had returned to the original duo of Walker and Colvill and had an upcoming nationwide tour and cruise booked. |
| They were also due to perform in pantomime this Christmas alongside alongside Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale in BBC soap EastEnders. | They were also due to perform in pantomime this Christmas alongside alongside Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale in BBC soap EastEnders. |
| Woodyatt tweeted he was "so looking forward to working with Graham Walker" in Peter Pan at the Crewe Lyceum. | Woodyatt tweeted he was "so looking forward to working with Graham Walker" in Peter Pan at the Crewe Lyceum. |
| "Sadly another comedy legend has passed away to soon," he said. | "Sadly another comedy legend has passed away to soon," he said. |