'The Archers' legend Edward Kelsey dies at 88

The Archers star Edward Kelsey, who voiced Joe Grundy on the BBC Radio 4 soap, has passed away at the age of 88.

The actor, who was known as Ted, first appeared on the radio show as the curmudgeonly patriarch of the Grundy family in 1985.

Kelsey is also known for his work on the 1980s children’s animated Danger Mouse, where he voiced the characters Colonel K and Baron Silas Greenback. His other appearances include voicing Mr Growbag in Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and roles in The Vicar of Dibley, Doctor Who and the UK TV series The Avengers.

The Archers’ official Twitter account paid tribute to the voice actor by writing: “We’re remembering ‘Ted’, Edward Kelsey, who died peacefully yesterday. Ted played Joe Grundy for 34 years and was a much-loved and respected member of our Ambridge family.”

Read more: Radio 4 drama ‘The Archers’ branded ‘sexist’ in new study

Kelsey’s family said in a statement: “Ted counted himself immensely lucky that he was able to enjoy a long and varied career doing the thing that he loved, entertaining an audience, and fortunate indeed to have met and worked with so many talented, generous, creative people along the way.

“He embodied the principle that the show must always go on – his chief concern through increasing ill health the need to convince medical staff he was fit enough to record with his ‘extended family’ in Birmingham.

“He had an insatiably curious mind and never lost his appetite for lively conversation, good company and, of course, a great storyline.”

Jeremy Howe, editor of The Archers, added: “Ted’s time in Ambridge gave us one of the great performances in the history of British radio – idiosyncratic, warm, cantankerous yet generous, dripping with the Grundy magic and wonderfully funny.

Read more: Barbara Windsor’s husband says she’s too ill watch him at the London Marathon

“Ted’s Joe Grundy was a brilliant creation because Ted was a brilliant actor – and a truly lovely man and great company member.

“A cherished part of our team, I am sure all of us will agree that working with Ted was a rare privilege and he will be very much missed.”