Robin Colvill

Colvill formed The Grumbleweeds in 1962. He brought in Maurice Lee, and later Graham Walker, to turn the group into a trio. The group turned professional in 1967, following the additions of brothers Albert and Carl Sutcliffe, and an appearance on Opportunity Knocks. By the 1970s, the group had featured on variety shows such as New Faces and The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club. From 1979 to 1988, the group had their own radio show that aired on BBC Radio 2.[2]

Colvill was known for his impressions, most notably, his impression of fellow Leeds entertainer Jimmy Savile. Colvill remains a member of the Grumbleweeds after six decades but, owing to the death of fellow member Graham Walker in 2013, Colvill had thought of ending the group, as only he and Walker had been in the group for over two decades. A year later, James Brandon was added into the line up, and the band remains active as a duo as of 2023.

In 2019, the Grumbleweeds duo portrayed pirates in a pantomime performance of Peter Pan in Southampton.[3]

Colvill played an antiques dealer in two episodes of the show Heartbeat in 1997, as well as portraying a horse trader, landlord, and Sergeant Edwards in three different episodes of Emmerdale between 1998 and 2008.[4] Colvill played Hank in an episode of Coronation Street in 2012. In 2017, he played a doctor in the short film Grimaldi: The Funniest Man In The World and, in 2018, played Detective Russell in the film Scott and Sid.

As a teen, Colvill made a living by repairing jukeboxes, but left the job to form the Grumbleweeds. Following the coronavirus lockdown, Colvill decided to start up the jukebox business again.[5]

Colvill was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire. His father, Peter Colville (born 24 April 1918 in Brighton – died 8 May 2003 in Sydney, Australia)[6] was also a stand up comedian.[7]