Comedy legend Graham Walker was today laid to rest with a funeral service in his home village.

Mr Walker, who was co-founder of the Calverley-based Grumbleweeds, died of cancer at the age of 68. His funeral took place at St Giles Church, Bramhope, near Otley, where celebrities and villagers joined his family to say a last goodbye.

The packed congregation heard moving tributes, including one from his comedy partner Robin Colvill who had worked with him for decades. Other celebrities who turned out to honour his memory included Billy Pearce, Freddy ‘parrot face’ Davies and Linda Lusardi.

Mr Walker’s death prompted tributes from entertainers he had worked with, who described him as a comedy legend and “one of the best comics we have had.”

Friendly and approachable, he was a popular figure in the village where he was known for his willingness to help anybody.

Among the mourners was Gerard Francis, three times mayor of Otley, who said: “As they said in the service he could make humour out of anything – even having tubes up his nose. He was a real one-off.

“I thought it was a lovely service and very moving. He was a wonderful person to know and you were better for knowing him.”