BIOGRAPHY
Referred to in The Stage as “Britain’s leading after dinner speaker” Bob was the first person to be honoured by HM The Queen for after dinner speaking and to be selected to appear in “Who’s Who?” which includes only “those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in their chosen field.”
Starting as a sporting speaker, he quickly adapted to add corporate work and stand-up comedy on stage to his skills. He has appeared all over the world and became especially popular in Australia, where he has toured countless times, including twice being flown out to appear at functions around the Aussie Rules Final in 2010 and 2018.
He became a regular on Channel 4’s Countdown, followed Danny Baker as Presenter of BBC Radio 5’s 6-0-6 Show and became a fixture on BBC 1’s “Aunties Sporting Bloomers” with Terry Wogan.
He is seen (below) with the legendary Ronnie Corbett when he delivered a tribute for the Variety Club on Ronnie’s 80th Birthday, which can be seen on YouTube.
“Bevan is such an accomplished joke writer and orator” – Sunday Times
His background in PR and journalism soon led him into writing for others, especially William Hague when he was Leader of the Opposition, Seb Coe and the late David Frost among others.
He has appeared with many of his heroes in sport and show business and over 20 times with the late Duke of Edinburgh. One of two poems where he “roasted the Duke” can be seen on YouTube, and the Duke even wrote one verse about him!
Those he has appeared with include Billy Connolly, Jimmy Tarbuck, Jasper Carrot, Bruce Forsyth, Jethro, Eric Clapton, David Essex, Ronan Keating, Status Quo and Rod Stewart hired him to appear at his Dad’s 80th birthday.
He has interviewed many sporting stars, either live or on TV, including Sir Alex Ferguson and, outside sport, even Sir John Major on two occasions (below)
His best-selling book “Nearly Famous” went into paperback after two reprints in hardback.
He continues to be in great demand. At the end of last year he wrote and delivered a poem at a lunch celebrating Angela Rippon’s 80th birthday.
After appearing at a charity lunch over Xmas 2024 a booker wrote “the world is changing but from the audience response you are managing to get the balance right – thank you for making me cry with laughter”
Honours past and present – President: Kent CCC and National Sporting Club - Vice-President: Crystal Palace FC, Dulwich Hamlet FC, Tonbridge Angels FC
Benedictine After Dinner Speaker of the Year, Soccer Speaker of the Year, Jackie Blanchflower Memorial Trophy,
Mail on Sunday After Dinner Speakers Hall of Fame
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