Bobby Davro

Bobby Davro – Life, Career & Memorable Quotes

Explore the life and career of Bobby Davro (born 13 September 1958) — the English comedian, impressionist, and actor. From his rise in the 1980s through TV shows, soap roles, and comeback journeys, including his reflections on fame and perseverance.

Introduction

Bobby Davro (born Robert Christopher Nankeville on 13 September 1958) is a British comedian, actor, impressionist, and television personality.

He became especially known in the 1980s for his sketch shows, impressions of public figures, and hosting roles. Over the decades, he has ventured into acting (notably in EastEnders), reality TV, theater/pantomime, and continues to perform live comedy.

Early Life & Family

• Bobby Davro was born in Ashford, Middlesex, England.

• His birth name is Robert Christopher Nankeville.

• His father, Bill Nankeville, was a noted runner — a British national mile and 1500m champion, and an Olympic competitor.

• Bobby has three children with his former partner, Trudi Jameson; they separated in 2003.

• Later, he was in a relationship with Vicky Wright (daughter of footballer Billy Wright) between 2007 and 2011.

Career & Achievements

Rise in Comedy & Television

• Davro made his television debut in 1981.

• His breakthrough came in 1983 on Live from Her Majesty’s, which exposed his talents in impressions and sketch comedy to a wider audience.

• He went on to appear on Cats, Bobby Davro on the Box, Bobby Davro’s TV Annual, Bobby Davro’s TV Weekly, Davro’s Sketch Pad, Davro in 1990, and more.

• In the 1990s and 2000s, his TV presence declined somewhat, as formats and audience tastes shifted.

Acting & Other Ventures

• From 2007 to 2008, he portrayed Vinnie Monks in BBC One’s EastEnders.

• His role in EastEnders was his significant acting venture in soap dramas.

• He has also participated in reality/entertainment programs, such as Dancing on Ice (2010) and Your Face Sounds Familiar (2013).

• Davro has been a fixture in pantomime theater performances over many years.

• In more recent times, he continues live performances, touring, and stage shows, adapting his comedic style to changing times.

Challenges & Health

• In January 2024, Davro suffered a stroke during a performance, which affected his ability to perform some of his famous impressions.

• He has spoken about recovery, grief, and resilience after the stroke, and returned to perform again, including at the Edinburgh Fringe.

• He also faced profound personal loss — his fiancée, Vicky Wright, died of cancer in 2023.

Style, Persona & Influence

• Davro is especially known for his impressions and mimicry of public figures, children’s TV characters, and celebrities.

• His comedy leans toward sketch-based humor, observational, and character-driven bits.

• Over time, as comedy trends evolved (more edgy, irreverent, adult-oriented), Davro at times expressed a sense of being left behind by shifting tastes.

• He is candid about his insecurities, self-judgment, and the pressures of show business — traits often hidden behind public personas.

Memorable Quotes

Here are some notable quotes and reflections by Bobby Davro:

“The measure of success is happiness and peace of mind.” “I think I have minor obsessive compulsive disorder. Everything has to be tidy and just right.” “Even when I had a run of successful prime-time shows, I couldn’t sit down and enjoy my success. I would beat myself up and scrutinise everything. I’m a natural-born worrier.” “When work is going well, your home life struggles and vice versa. If my kids are OK — that is the most important thing. I strive for balance in my life, though.” “I want to go on TV to perform. I’m not conceited, but I am good at what I do. It’s just the vehicles are not there anymore.” “Despite my confidence and self-belief, I’ve always wrestled with feelings of insecurity. To be honest, I think most people in show business are insecure.” “Too much comedy is filthy these days. There’s nothing they won’t say. I like Jimmy Carr, but I don’t like the language he uses. I don’t understand why he feels it necessary; I find it extremely offensive.”

From IMDb, there is also a humorous line:

“You’re only as good as your last show, that’s what they say. My last show was canceled.”

These quotes show his self-awareness, reflections on the craft, and the tension between showmanship and inner doubts.

Lessons & Takeaways

1. Resilience in performance
   Despite health setbacks (stroke) and personal loss, Davro continues to return to the stage, showing the resilience of an artist committed to his craft.

2. Vulnerability beneath comedy
   His open discussions of insecurity, overthinking, and the emotional side of show business remind us that comedians often carry serious inner worlds.

3. Adaptation vs. identity
   As trends in TV and comedy shift, Davro has faced challenges in adapting — yet he continues to assert his style rather than chase every passing trend.

4. Value of balance
   He expresses the struggle of balancing career success with personal relationships and family — a universal tension many creatives face.

5. Legacy in mimicry & laughter
   Even if not always in mainstream spotlight, his contributions to impressions, sketch comedy, and British entertainment across decades give him a recognized place in comedic history.

Conclusion

Bobby Davro’s career is one marked by peaks of mainstream visibility in the 1980s, shifts into different genres (acting, reality TV, theater), and personal trials in recent years.

He remains a figure who understands both the applause and the silence, the spotlight and the backstage struggle. His quotes reveal a man wrestling with perfectionism, doubt, and the timeless question: “How do you stay true to yourself in show business?”