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| Tributes to rugby legend Gravell | Tributes to rugby legend Gravell |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Wales is mourning the death of the rugby legend and BBC presenter Ray Gravell. | Wales is mourning the death of the rugby legend and BBC presenter Ray Gravell. |
| The former Wales and Lions centre was taken ill yesterday while on holiday in Spain. He was 56. | The former Wales and Lions centre was taken ill yesterday while on holiday in Spain. He was 56. |
| Gravell won 23 caps for his country and made the 1980 Lions tour to South Africa, playing in all four Tests. | Gravell won 23 caps for his country and made the 1980 Lions tour to South Africa, playing in all four Tests. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan paid tribute to him as a "brave" man on and off the pitch and a "fantastic, extrovert character." | |
| Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, said he would be a "tremendous loss to the cultural and sporting life of this nation". | Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, said he would be a "tremendous loss to the cultural and sporting life of this nation". |
| After finishing playing rugby, Gravell carved out a new career as a broadcaster and an actor in both the English and Welsh languages. | After finishing playing rugby, Gravell carved out a new career as a broadcaster and an actor in both the English and Welsh languages. |
| He died of a suspected heart attack. He is survived by wife Mari and daughters Gwennan and Manon. | He died of a suspected heart attack. He is survived by wife Mari and daughters Gwennan and Manon. |
| Mr Morgan expressed his sadness for Gravell's family. | |
| Gravell carved out a second career as a broadcaster | Gravell carved out a second career as a broadcaster |
| He said he was "brave" during his rugby career and also earlier this year when he had his right leg amputated below the knee following complications linked with his diabetes. | |
| "He was one of those centres who would tackle a tank if it played for the other side," he said. | |
| "He was an outstanding centre from an outstanding era of Welsh rugby." | |
| Plaid Cymru leader Mr Jones said he was sure people would want to "reflect with sadness on Ray's passing but also to give thanks for his tremendous contribution to Wales". | |
| He said: "On behalf of Plaid Cymru I would like to send our heart-felt condolences to Ray's wife, Mari and children. | |
| "It was only recently that Ray was on the radio talking about how, as captain of Llanelli, he used to prepare speeches to deliver to the players before a match which would hopefully inspire them to win. | "It was only recently that Ray was on the radio talking about how, as captain of Llanelli, he used to prepare speeches to deliver to the players before a match which would hopefully inspire them to win. |
| "Bubbling enthusiasm" | |
| "Ray wasn't just an inspiration to the Scarlets however - he was an inspiration to the entire nation. He was passionate about his family, his sport, his area, his broadcasting and his language. | "Ray wasn't just an inspiration to the Scarlets however - he was an inspiration to the entire nation. He was passionate about his family, his sport, his area, his broadcasting and his language. |
| "Ray was also passionate about his country and his passing will be a tremendous loss to the cultural and sporting life of this nation." | "Ray was also passionate about his country and his passing will be a tremendous loss to the cultural and sporting life of this nation." |
| Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain said: "Nobody else could express so eloquently and so passionately the essence of Welsh rugby and pride in Welshness. | |
| "His bubbling enthusiasm and his big personality will be sorely missed. Something of Wales has died with him." | |
| Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union David Pickering said Gravell "epitomised all the best elements" of the game. | Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union David Pickering said Gravell "epitomised all the best elements" of the game. |
| Former Wales Captain Gareth Davies, who toured with Gravell on the Lions tour to South Africa in 1980, said he was a "once in a generation" personality. | Former Wales Captain Gareth Davies, who toured with Gravell on the Lions tour to South Africa in 1980, said he was a "once in a generation" personality. |