For over 40 years the Grumbleweeds have been making people laugh. JENNY SCOTT met founder member Robin Colville and find they're still at it. . .

"I THINK it was my sister who thought of the name."

Robin Colvill, 60, one half of The Grumbleweeds -- the former '60s pop group who became a comedy double act -- is trying to remember where the miserable-sounding monicker came from.

"She used to make up her own swear words and that was one of them.

"I think the name held us back when we were trying to establish a music career.

"The DJs wouldn't play us because they didn't like saying the name. Dave Lee Travis hated saying it, but it stuck.

"Even now, if we think about changing our name, we can't."

Nowadays, though, having an unusual name has become more of a help than a hindrance.

Since Robin and his partner Graham Walker transformed themselves into an entertaining double act, two-and-a-half years ago, they have become well known on the pantomime circuit and have done several summer seasons at Blackpool.

"I started the group when I was 17 years old," said Robin.

"I met the other lads in a coffee bar and from there we started playing together and went on Opportunity Knocks.

"I couldn't play the drums and I kept dropping the drumsticks. We decided to go into comedy because people were laughing at us anyway."

Two of the group retired from the circuit 15 years ago, leaving Robin, Graham and their fellow bandmember Maurice.

"About five years after that, Maurice wanted to pack it in," said Robin. "We tried to replace him, but it didn't really work, so we ended up as a double act.

"Graham is a naturally funny man and, because we've known each other for so long, we can anticipate each other's reactions to things.

"It's fab being a double act and I wish we'd done it 20 years ago."

This summer saw the Leeds-born duo return to Blackpool alongside Cannon And Ball.

"We've done about 25 summer seasons at Blackpool and they seem to like us," said Robin.

So how would he describe the show?

"It's not a variety show," he said.

"People don't have to sit through any jugglers or anything. I can fly planes, but I can't juggle.

"We do the whole of the first half - a lot of it's silly jokes and comedy impressions.

"We put weird double acts together - Ali G and Ozzy Osbourne for example.

"There are kids in the audience as well, so we try to do something for everybody, although I think the oldies end up laughing more than the children."

Catch the Grumbleweeds with Cannon And Ball at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, every Sunday and Monday evening until Monday, September 27. For tickets, call the box office on 01253 743232.