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Tributes to rugby legend Gravell Tributes to rugby legend Gravell
(about 2 hours later)
Tributes are being paid to the Wales rugby legend and BBC presenter Ray Gravell, who has died at the age of 56.Tributes are being paid to the Wales rugby legend and BBC presenter Ray Gravell, who has died at the age of 56.
The former Wales and Lions centre had a suspected heart attack on Wednesday while on holiday in Spain.The former Wales and Lions centre had a suspected heart attack on Wednesday while on holiday in Spain.
Gravell, from near Llanelli, won 23 caps and was in the 1972 Scarlets side which famously beat the All Blacks.Gravell, from near Llanelli, won 23 caps and was in the 1972 Scarlets side which famously beat the All Blacks.
After hanging up his boots, he was a broadcaster, actor and keeper of the ceremonial sword at the National Eisteddfod until earlier this year.After hanging up his boots, he was a broadcaster, actor and keeper of the ceremonial sword at the National Eisteddfod until earlier this year.
Flags are flying at half-mast at all council buildings in his home county of Carmarthenshire.Flags are flying at half-mast at all council buildings in his home county of Carmarthenshire.
Wales great Gareth Edwards said: "It's a very sad day, but when I look back and think of Ray Gravell I'll remember the joy and immense pleasure he gave us."Wales great Gareth Edwards said: "It's a very sad day, but when I look back and think of Ray Gravell I'll remember the joy and immense pleasure he gave us."
Ray Gravell with his daughters in his street, which was named after him The English dictionary should simply have a picture of Ray as the definition of passion because he epitomised its real meaning Richard Veale, Ystrad Mynach class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3765">Your tributes to Ray Gravell
The Welsh Rugby Union paid tribute to Ray Gravell "as a man who epitomised the passion, flair and dignity of his beloved Welsh nation".The Welsh Rugby Union paid tribute to Ray Gravell "as a man who epitomised the passion, flair and dignity of his beloved Welsh nation".
First Minister Rhodri Morgan called him a brave man on and off the pitch, and BBC colleague Roy Noble said the news was a "body blow".First Minister Rhodri Morgan called him a brave man on and off the pitch, and BBC colleague Roy Noble said the news was a "body blow".
After rugby, Gravell, from the village of Mynyddygarreg, near Kidwelly, was a successful broadcaster and actor who appeared in Louis Malle's Damage alongside Juliette Binoche and Jeremy Irons.After rugby, Gravell, from the village of Mynyddygarreg, near Kidwelly, was a successful broadcaster and actor who appeared in Louis Malle's Damage alongside Juliette Binoche and Jeremy Irons.
Famous for his patriotism and passion for all things Welsh, he is survived by wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwennan, aged 11 and eight.Famous for his patriotism and passion for all things Welsh, he is survived by wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwennan, aged 11 and eight.
Mr Morgan said Gravell was courageous both 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.Mr Morgan said Gravell was courageous both 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.
"On the field he was one of those centres of whom you'd always say he'd tackle a Sherman tank if it were playing for the other side," he said."On the field he was one of those centres of whom you'd always say he'd tackle a Sherman tank if it were playing for the other side," he said.
Gravell carved out a second career as a broadcaster
"And then the bravery he'd been showing more recently now when he had to face the amputation problem and the illness which led to the amputation.""And then the bravery he'd been showing more recently now when he had to face the amputation problem and the illness which led to the amputation."
Gravell carved out a second career as a broadcaster
Gravell's BBC Radio Wales colleague Roy Noble said: "Last night when I heard, it was a body blow that's very difficult to come to terms with really.Gravell's BBC Radio Wales colleague Roy Noble said: "Last night when I heard, it was a body blow that's very difficult to come to terms with really.
"I felt in Ray's problems and trials this year he'd come through it all and once the leg had been removed I thought there was a resurrection, you know."I felt in Ray's problems and trials this year he'd come through it all and once the leg had been removed I thought there was a resurrection, you know.
"There was the new Ray who was back to the passionate and pure Welshman, one of the best I've ever known, and there was a new life there.""There was the new Ray who was back to the passionate and pure Welshman, one of the best I've ever known, and there was a new life there."
His bubbling enthusiasm and his big personality will be sorely missed. Something of Wales has died with him Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Ray was passionate about his country and his passing will be a tremendous loss to the cultural and sporting life of this nation."Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "Ray was passionate about his country and his passing will be a tremendous loss to the cultural and sporting life of this nation."
BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said many colleagues in the corporation were mourning Gravell's death.BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said many colleagues in the corporation were mourning Gravell's death.
His bubbling enthusiasm and his big personality will be sorely missed - something of Wales has died with him Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
"Grav was unique, I think, in that he represented so many different aspects of life in Wales and I think that nobody in the BBC today, in BBC Wales, and I'm sure this is true throughout the whole of Wales, who won't take this as a personal blow, a personal bereavement and of course our profound sympathies are with Mari and the girls," she said."Grav was unique, I think, in that he represented so many different aspects of life in Wales and I think that nobody in the BBC today, in BBC Wales, and I'm sure this is true throughout the whole of Wales, who won't take this as a personal blow, a personal bereavement and of course our profound sympathies are with Mari and the girls," she said.
David Pickering, chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, said Gravell "epitomised all the best elements" of the game.David Pickering, chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, 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.