This is the life story of Robin Colvill, and what a life it
is!
Mustn’t Grumble is the fast-paced, irreverent life
story of Robin Stewart Colvill—comedian, musician, radio performer, hypnotist,
jack-of-all-trades, and co-founder of the iconic comedy act The Grumbleweeds.
Written in Robin’s unmistakably cheeky voice, the memoir charts his journey
from a chaotic wartime childhood in Leeds to decades of comedy, catastrophe,
and camaraderie on and off the stage.
Raised by his independent, eccentric mother Sheila, Robin
develops early resilience, a knack for fixing things, and a sideways view of
the world. After odd jobs—including a brief, disastrous career as a cinema
projectionist—he forms a band with local lads in the early 60s. His sister
accidentally names them The Grumbleweeds, and the group evolves from a
shambolic basement band into a pioneering comedy-music act known for physical
gags, impressions, and anarchic sketches.
Robin’s partnership with the brilliantly unpredictable
Graham Walker becomes the heart of the act. Together they conquer the northern
club circuit, perform on television and in pantomime, and earn national
recognition with their award-winning BBC Radio 2 show. Their adventures
include celebrity encounters, cruise-ship chaos, backstage pranks, far-flung
military gigs, and endless on-the-road absurdity.
Alongside the laughs, Robin shares intimate
struggles—marital difficulties, family heartbreak, uncanny coincidences,
brushes with illness, and the devastating decline of Graham, who continues
performing even as cancer consumes him. Robin’s mixture of humour and honesty
makes these chapters especially poignant.
Ultimately, Mustn’t Grumble is a celebration of
friendship, survival, and a lifetime spent making people laugh—proof that even
in chaos, comedy wins.
About the Author :
The book is the biography, read it!
