Thanks to Derek Schofield for reporting this. Bonny announces on the website that Pete passed away 'earlier this evening', but as it is undated I searched online for more details. This appears to be the only other report. Given that a significant proportion of the British population listen unknowingly to Pete (and Bonny, Mac and Bob) every Sunday morning before and after one of Radio 4's flagship programmes, I would have thought that his passing would have warranted a mention by the BBC.

I have followed The Yetties from 1979 until their retirement in 2011, buying all their albums and attending as many of their concerts and ceilidhs as I could. In my view Pete was one of the most gifted and talented yet under-rated entertainers that Britain has ever produced; I have heard that he was regarded as one of the best accordion players of his generation. And he could play the bowed psaltery so sweetly as to almost bring a tear to the eye. Then he could move you from tears to laughter - few could tell a joke with such humour and with such an effortless, natural delivery. Most entertainers feel like they are trying to make you laugh. But Pete didn't need to try.

Thank you, Pete. You helped to make the world a brighter and happier place. You have a place in my heart for ever.

Thank you, Pete. You made my world a brighter place. You have a place in my heart for ever.