Archers star ‘Joe Grundy’ dies, 88

ACTOR Edward Kelsey, who played Joe Grundy in the BBC radio drama The Archers for more than three decades, has died aged 88.

His family said his ‘chief concern’ during a spell of ill health before his death on Tuesday was his ability to carry on recording for the BBC Radio 4 soap, which he joined in 1985.

They added in a statement: ‘He embodied the principle that the show must always go on.’

Mr Kelsey, pictured, was born in Hampshire in 1930 and went to medical school before becoming an actor. His final episodes of The Archers, recorded this month, will air over the next few weeks.