Who is Bob “the Cat”?
In show business we think he’s the bees’ knees. He’s the most sought-after after dinner speak in the country and that’s a fact
Bob, referred to in The Stage as “Britain’s leading after-dinner speaker,” is probably the first person to be honoured by HM the Queen for after-dinner speaking.
He is also the first after-dinner speaker to be selected for “Who’s Who” which includes “only those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in their chosen field.”
He is in demand all over the world. He has toured Australia over a dozen times and twice been flown out especially to appear at the Aussie Rules Grand Final. He also appeared with ex-Prime Minister, John Howard on three occasions. He has appeared several times at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and the Football Club as well as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Dubai, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, India, Italy, Kenya, Menorca, Monaco, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, USA and the West Indies.
He has also appeared on the QE2 and Silver Wind.
Starting as a sporting speaker, he has spoken at 77 of the 92 Premier and Football League clubs, as well as countless, cricket, rugby, golf and other sports functions.
He is a regular on Channel 4’s “Countdown”, followed Danny Baker as host of BBC Radio 5’s “Six O Six” and became a fixture with Sir Terry Wogan on “Auntie’s Bloomers”.
We had some great comments and the evening was very successful so thank you again. Some guests who attended the evening came back this week for lunch and couldn’t stop talking about it
Gerard Basset, Founder of Hotel de Vin and Hotel TerraVina after Bob’s new one-man show in January 2010.
the late and great Barry Cryer
Today he is also regarded as a fine corporate comedian, presenter and awards host. Unlike his goalkeeping he is a “safe pair of hands” with clean material.
“Bob “the Cat” Bevan and Barry Cryer”
Willie Rushton when asked to name his favourite after dinner speakers
His business background – he was PR Director for a major PLC for 14 years and is still a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the National Union of Journalists – makes him an ideal choice for the corporate market.
These days he has even branched out into interviewing. In his own humorous style – teasing but without losing respect – his recent interview with Sir John Major was such a success that they are doing it again.
He has appeared countless times with the late Duke of Edinburgh including two poems he wrote about him which led to the Duke writing a one-verse poem about him.
Among his other interviewees one with Sir Alex Ferguson drew praise from the Mail on Sunday as the best interview they had ever seen with the world’s top football manager. He has also appeared with, Steve Harmison, Michael Vaughan and, on Sky, Alan Shearer, Steve Bruce and Harry Redknapp.
Today he is not just an after-dinner speaker and comic, he is also a radio presenter, awards host, master of ceremonies, auctioneer, author (his book “Nearly Famous was a best-seller), journalist, scriptwriter, speechwriter, poet and, just occasionally, still a PR consultant.
One of Britain’s funniest after dinner comedians
Watch Part I of 'the Cat' in action and Part II here