Actor behind The Archers’ lovable Joe Grundy dies
THE actor who played Joe Grundy in The Archers has died, leaving fans questioning how the BBC will deal with his death on air.
Edward Kelsey was yesterday hailed for his “insatiably curious mind” and love of “lively conversation, good company and a great storyline” after his death at the age of 88.
The actor, known as Ted, had played Joe Grundy on the BBC Radio 4 soap since 1985.
His death will leave listeners wondering how his story will be brought to a close, with the BBC declining to confirm whether the character of Joe Grundy, who was 97 on air, had already been written out of the show.
A spokesman said: “Following the recent passing of Edward ‘Ted’ Kelsey, we can confirm that his last scenes as Joe Grundy – recorded in April – will be aired in the coming weeks.
“At present the production team are carefully considering storylines beyond those episodes.”
Mr Kelsey’s family said: “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. 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.
“Ted’s Joe Grundy was a brilliant creation because Ted was a brilliant actor – and a truly lovely man and great company member. He will be very much missed.”