BIOGRAPHY
Bobby Roberts was born in 1942 in Edinburgh, while his father was serving as a fireman during National Service. But his destiny lay in the ring. The son of famed circus performer and impresario Bobby Roberts (Robert Otto Fossett, 1912–1999) and variety artist Kitty Mednick (b. 1922), Bobby was circus through and through – it ran in his blood.
He made his circus debut aged just four, and from that moment on, the sawdust never left his shoes. A gifted all-round performer, Bobby’s early acts included high-wire routines – often performed daringly above an open-roof lion's cage. He also trained in the trapeze, performed as a bareback rider, and became a skilled animal trainer.
While performing at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, Bobby met Moira, the love of his life and his lifelong performing partner. They married in 1965 and joined Robert Brothers Circus, where they created the double act Bobby Ringo and Princess Moira, bringing laughs, thrills and spectacle to audiences across the UK.
In 1993, Bobby and Moira stepped out from the wider family troupe and launched their own production: Bobby Roberts Super Circus. The show quickly became one of the country’s most recognised traditional touring circuses – a family affair filled with heart, sparkle and old-school charm. Bobby took centre ring as ringmaster, the ever-present voice and face of the show, commanding the spotlight with style, humour and a true sense of showmanship. He wasn’t just an announcer – he was the glue that held the magic together.
Behind the scenes, Bobby and Moira ran the show as a tight-knit family unit. Their children, Kitty and Robert (Bobby), both took up the reins. Kitty and her husband, Istvan Sallai, went on to tour their own show under the banner Circus Sallai, while Bobby followed in the family footsteps as a much-loved circus clown.
From the high wire to the centre ring, Bobby Roberts dedicated his life to the circus. His legacy is one of tradition, passion, and performance, and his influence can still be felt in every ring where the show must go on.
PHOTO GALLERY
ARCHIVE VAULT
MEDIA
