Edward Kelsey, who played Joe Grundy on BBC Radio 4 soap The Archers for 34 years, has died at the age of 88.
The actor first appeared on air as the testy patriarch of the Grundy clan in 1985.
Kelsey had given "one of the great performances in the history of British radio", editor Jeremy Howe said.
He has been remembered for his "insatiably curious mind" and love of "lively conversation, good company and a great storyline".
The radio star, known as Ted was also known for voicing the characters Colonel K and Baron Silas Greenback on the 1980s children's animated series Danger Mouse.
His family 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."
Jeremy Howe, editor of The Archers, added: "Ted's time in Ambridge gave us one of the great performances in the history of British radio - idiosyncratic, warm, cantankerous yet generous, dripping with the Grundy magic and wonderfully funny.
"Ted's Joe Grundy was a brilliant creation because Ted was a brilliant actor - and a truly lovely man and great company member.
"A cherished part of our team, I am sure all of us will agree that working with Ted was a rare privilege and he will be very much missed."
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.
— The Archers (@BBCTheArchers) April 24, 2019
Mr Howe described his performance on The Archers as "idiosyncratic, warm, cantankerous yet generous, dripping with the Grundy magic and wonderfully funny".
He added: "Ted's Joe Grundy was a brilliant creation because Ted was a brilliant actor - and a truly lovely man and great company member.
"A cherished part of our team, I am sure all of us will agree that working with Ted was a rare privilege and he will be very much missed."
Fans have paid tribute to the actor on social media.
So sad about Edward Kelsey, Farmer and philosopher. Ambridge won’t be the same @BBCTheArchers @BBCRadio4 #edwardkelsey
— Clare (@Clarecurlygirl) April 24, 2019
#RIPJoeGrundy the archers won't be the same without his voice
— Mark Hutchinson (@bpl1027) April 24, 2019
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