The panto life for us, say Grumbleweeds

They are the showbusiness royalty whose mixture of comedy and song epitomised entertainment in the 1980s.

And now, 46 years after forming and 30 years after they made their biggest breakthrough on to the showbiz scene, The Grumbleweeds are in Wolverhampton adding their comic genius to the city's pantomime.

Now a duo comprising of Robin Colvill and Graham Walker, The Grumbleweeds spoke to the Express & Star about their unwaivering love of the stage and their delight at being back entertaining audiences in the city.

The pair star as Muddles and Oddjob in the pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Grand Theatre.

Against tradition, the two stalwarts of the stage travel into the city each day from their homes close to Leeds.

But having performed four previous times in the city – including at the Grand in pantomime Cinderella in 2004 – they are happy to be back in such a familiar place.

Father-of-two Robin, aged 67, says: "This year's production is amazing and everybody is saying it is the best pantomime they have ever had here.

"From our point of view we really think it's the most professional. This is a lot different from the things we've done before. This year the production has children playing the parts of dwarfs."

Graham, who also takes a keen interest in farming and agriculture, says: "I have never enjoyed myself so much in one place as here in Wolverhampton. When people come, they come for a laugh. I just love the Black Country accent and the people's attitude here."

The show also stars former model Linda Lusardi playing the role of the Wicked Queen and her husband Sam Kane as Prince Charming. He is also directing the production.

Graham, aged, 66, who is father to four daughters and one son as well as husband to Susan, says: "Sam Kane is a very capable performer. He knows his performers back to front and is open to suggestions. Pantomime is such a different disruption to cabaret which we've done a lot of. It can be funny for grandparents, parents and grandchildren – a whole range of different people. You can get away with a lot of things to do with humour."

Robin, who also practises as a hypnotist, adds: "If you specialise in satire or something, it changes it, but general humour makes everyone laugh."

The Grumbleweeds were formed back in 1962 and performed on the northern club circuit before turning professional in 1967, by which time they were a five-piece.

They appeared on TV's Opportunity Knocks and New Faces and, despite not winning, they were catapulted into the spotlight and won a recording contract. They released a series of comedy songs and appeared in BBC1 series The Coal Hole Club in 1973, which showcased their cabaret repertoire.

But it was on radio that the Grumbleweeds made their biggest breakthrough with a successful BBC Radio 2 series, The Grumbleweeds Radio Show, which ran from 1979 to 1988.

In late 1987, brothers Albert and Carl Sutcliffe decided to leave the group and Maurice Lee left in 1997.

Graham and Robin continue to keep The Grumbleweeds name very much alive, and this year has seen them perform to audiences on cruise ships including the QE2.

But they have seen the industry change over the decades. Robin says: "I think the X Factor is about people trying to come from nowhere and become famous quickly. And most of them disappear from the face of the earth very quickly. But I think people still want the kind of comedy we provide and we are happy to have been on the menu for 50 years."

* The panto runs at the Grand Theatre until January 22.