Labon Kenneth Blackburn Leeweltine Buckonon Benjamin, affectionately known as ‘Gravy’. Gravy entertains the crowd at the ARG during a Test match.

By Neto Baptiste

Well-known entertainer and comedian, Labon Kenneth Blackburn Leeweltine Buckonon Benjamin, affectionately known as ‘Gravy’, is alive and well.

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, the iconic Antiguan who came to prominence between the late ‘80s into the late ‘90s for his antics at the Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) during cricket matches, responded to rumours that he had died.

“Well, this is Gravy here and I am well, maybe not to the best of my health, but I am still going and moving. I am on my way to therapy right now so that should tell you that I am alive but other than that, just keep on praying for me,” he said.

Benjamin, who celebrated his 69th birthday on Saturday, admitted that he has not followed the performance of the regional squad since falling ill some years ago but is still very much a West Indies fan at heart.

He wished the team all the best for the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“I am just hoping that we can come through by winning our stage and going straight to the final. The guys are not performing as they used to but we just have to take it one day at a time and hope for the best, but I do hope that West Indies can come through to the semis and to the final, and I want to wish them the best. To tell you the truth, I miss going up against Mayfield so I hope that all West Indians will be proud of them,” he said.

So influential was Benjamin’s performance and presence during Test and ODI matches at the now historic ARG, that whenever there was a bowler change, a new batsman making his way to the crease of a fielder retrieving the ball after a bowler had been smashed for a boundary, all heads would automatically swing towards Gravy who would display his iconic defensive stance with the bat or play a lovely cover drive – all imaginary of course – but still welcomed with loud cheers and thunderous applause from the spectators.

Gravy retired in April 2000, donning a traditional wedding dress for his final sendoff at the ARG.