Comedy legend Bobby Davro on his #EdFringe return!

As one of the last children of the 70’s, I grew up with Bobby Davro as a staple of Saturday night Television. Comedian, impressionist, actor and game show host, younger generations may be more familiar with his appearances on Eastenders, Dancing on Ice, and Celebrity Big Brother.

Well he’s still going strong, despite some pretty major life events which could well have derailed matters. This won’t be his first time at the Edinburgh Fringe, but what makes a performer with such a rich, long history want to jump on a train and onto stage almost every night for 4 weeks? I asked him!

Bobby, after last year’s Fringe debut, what made you want to come straight back to Edinburgh?

“To give the audience the kind of comedy that they enjoy, but sadly no longer shown on TV because of the current “WOKE” agenda presented throughout the media.”

What’s different about Funny Magnet compared to your last show?

“I will be doing new material throughout the set, more impressions and will be doing a question and answer section to give the audience a chance to discover more about the “PRIVATE” side of my life and career.”

Your audience reactions have been huge: do you have a favourite live moment from last year?

“I enjoyed every show and nearly every one of my performances. The audience gave me a standing ovation when it ended, which proves I still have relevance and popularity within the comedy industry.”

How do you approach mixing impressions, jokes, and songs in one show?

“There are many funny, talented comedians around currently, but they don’t tend to be multitalented, so being able to sing, do stand-up, impressions, and audience participation makes me the new/old wave comedians.

I do contemporary impressions but still include some for the older crowd to enjoy.

Originality in my presentation is most important and sets one apart from other performers.”

You’re known for quick ad-libs: what’s the most memorable thing an audience member has ever said or done during a gig?

“If I do get heckled occasionally, and instead of a standard put down I will usually say something like

“Some comedians get a heckler, I get the Rainman or Forest Gump” Then I’ll do those impressions, which usually get a good response.”

From 80s TV stardom to pantomime and reality shows, what keeps live stand-up exciting for you?

“I’m very fortunate to have had such a successful career, which has lasted for nearly sixty-four years. I love performing, and I still work as hard as I can to keep relevant, and although maybe I’m perceived as “Old school”, my stand-up still makes the majority of audiences laugh, and that to me is what the definition of a comedian should be.”

For people seeing you live for the first time, what do you hope they walk away saying or feeling?

“Wasn’t he funny and talented I’ll come back and see him again! 😜

Bobby, you had a stroke earlier this year and suffered an immense loss only a few years ago: has returning to the Fringe been important to your continuing relationship with performing and comedy?

“Most definitely! “Laughter is the best medicine” unless of course you’ve had a stroke, then Statins are!

My doctor told me i have to take one tablet every day for the rest of my life, but…he’s only given me six tablets! 😂”

You began your career mastering impressions and variety club gigs in the early 80s: what did Mike Yarwood’s advice to “be original” mean to you then, and how does originality guide your new material in Funny Magnet?

“Although there were several good impressionists around in the 1970s’ Mike Yarwood was the master and when I first started out I emulated him and copied his way of doing an impression of someone and he told me by doing that I wouldn’t get noticed and stand apart from others so from that wonderful advice he shared with me I started doing my own observations and develop my own individual style which eventually paid off.

Mike and I became good friends, and we would occasionally meet for lunch or dinner; he loved a curry. Mike was one of the true comedy greats of our era!”