The family of Edward Kelsey, best known as Ted, confirmed the news of his death in a statement obtained by the Belfast Telegraph.
They said: “Ted counted himself immensely lucky that he was able to enjoy a long and varied career doing the thing that he loved, entertaining an audience, and fortunate indeed to have met and worked with so many talented, generous, creative people along the way.
“He embodied the principle that the show must always go on – his chief concern through increasing ill health the need to convince medical staff he was fit enough to record with his ‘extended family’ in Birmingham.
“He had an insatiably curious mind and never lost his appetite for lively conversation, good company and, of course, a great storyline.”
Edward’s cause of death is currently unknown, but he is believed to have died yesterday.
Edward starred as Joe Grundy on BBC Radio 4 soap The Archers for 34 years.
His first on-screen appearance saw him as the irascible patriarch of the Grundy clan in 1985.
Edward also voiced the characters Colonel K and Baron Silas Greenback on the 1980s children’s series Danger Mouse.
Ahead of his broadcasting career, Edward attended medical school.
He later swapped this move for performing arts training at the Royal Academy of Music.
He then won a six-month contract with BBC Radio Drama, before becoming a household name.
Following the news of his death, The Archers shared a touching tribute from their official Twitter page.
They wrote: “We’re remembering ‘Ted’, Edward Kelsey, who died peacefully yesterday.
“Ted played Joe Grundy for 34 years and was a much-loved and respected member of our Ambridge family.”
More to follow..