Scotland The What? comedy star Steve Robertson dies

He worked alongside friends George Donald and Buff Hardie in the popular revue act. They performed for more than 25 years, taking their sketches and songs – many of which were performed in the Doric dialect – around the world before retiring in 1995.

Robertson died in hospital in his home city of Aberdeen, where he attended school, university and the trio performed their final show.

Scotland The What? entertained sell-out audiences following its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1969, describing themselves as “three semi-literate Scots taking an irreverent look at their country’s institutions”.

All three were presented with MBEs in 1995, the year they performed together for the last time.

In April 2008, they were given the freedom of the city of Aberdeen, an event that was celebrated by hundreds of cheering fans outside Her Majesty’s Theatre.

The award was given for “services to the fine arts, the Doric language and north-east of Scotland culture”.

Robertson came out of retirement briefly four years ago to help his old school – Aberdeen Grammar – celebrate its 750th anniversary.

After the trio called it a day, he also served as rector of Aberdeen University, the university he himself graduated from. He was elected in 2008 and was due to be replaced at the start of next year.

Before embarking on a career in comedy, Robertson was a lawyer.