Mustn't Grumble

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.