The Grumbleweeds star Graham Walker dies at 68
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 too soon," he said.